Churchill Brothers finalise squad ahead of ISL 2026-27 opener at Fatorda

Churchill Brothers will begin their 2026-27 Indian Super League campaign against Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Cypriot gaffer Dimitris Dimitriou is back as head coach for the upcoming season.

The club joins the ISL for the first time after the Tata Group sold their licence and stakes to Churchill Brothers. Churchill Brothers are former I League and Durand Cup champions and have represented Goan football for decades. After a year’s absence from the Indian domestic circuit, the Red Machines will compete directly in the top tier. They have brought back players who contributed to them becoming provisional champions of the I League 2024-25 season.

Churchill Brothers will play their first five games of the season at home. Those fixtures include matchups against Mumbai City FC, East Bengal, Northeast United FC, Punjab FC and Mohun Bagan. Their first away game will be against Inter Kashi in Pune.

Defenders named in the squad are Yeoule, Gaurav Bora, Kingslee, Biakhlua R., Lalremruata, M. Deny Singh, Parag and Lakra. Midfielders on the roster are Anil, D. Salou, Gourav, Sanathoi, Costa and Sebastian G. Forwards listed are Okoli, Stendly, Trijoy, Vincy and Lekay.

The club has signed John Okoli, Dramane Salou and Sebastián Gutiérrez. Churchill Brothers are known for signing some of the top-quality African players, and it will be interesting to see how the new players fare under Dimitris Dimitriou.

Their season opens at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa against Mumbai City FC, with Dimitris Dimitriou in charge for the Red Machines' first ISL fixture.