Churchill Brothers to play in ISL 2026-27 after acquiring Jamshedpur FC stake
Churchill Brothers FC will participate in the Indian Super League 2026-27 after acquiring Tata Steel’s 100% stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited, a development reported on August 14, 2026. The takeover transfers Jamshedpur FC’s ISL licence and the club says it will assume player and coaching contracts, with the contract handover effective September 2026.
Churchill Brothers are a decorated Goan club, twice I-League champions (2008-09 and 2012-13) and three-time Durand Cup winners. In 2024-25 they finished atop the I-League points table with 40 points and were initially declared champions and presented the trophy by the AIFF, but Inter Kashi’s successful CAS appeal later awarded the title and promotion to Inter Kashi. In protest, Churchill Brothers did not compete in the second-tier national league and were subsequently relegated to the third division; the club had previously been denied an I-League licence in 2013-14 owing to AFC club licensing requirements.
Jamshedpur FC announced on July 31 that it would not take part in the ISL 2026-27 season. Following that announcement, Tata Steel moved ownership of Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited to Churchill Brothers FC, transferring full corporate control of the existing ISL club to the Goan outfit.
Club statements and reporting indicate the transaction includes Jamshedpur FC’s Indian Super League licence and a set of contracted personnel: the deal transfers the contracts of 12 players and 2 coaches, and Churchill Brothers has stated it will take over contracts of all JFC players and coaching staff with effect from September 2026. Those contractual arrangements form the operational basis for Churchill Brothers’ entry into the ISL for 2026-27.
The acquisition arrives amid confirmed player movements: Madih Talal and Stephen Eze have left the Tata outfit, while several Indian players, including Sanan and Barla, are being linked to other ISL clubs. The reporting notes that the players and coaches from Jamshedpur FC might be seen in action representing Churchill Brothers following the takeover.
FC Goa has been the only Goan representative in the Indian Super League since the competition’s inception; the club has previously represented India at the AFC Champions League and ACL 2 and has won the ISL Shield and the Super Cup. With Churchill Brothers now confirmed to control an ISL licence, the 2026-27 season will feature two clubs from Goa competing in the country's top flight.
Churchill Brothers’ acquisition of Tata Steel’s full stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited confirms their participation in the ISL 2026-27 season, with the transfer of player and coach contracts set to take effect in September 2026 and Jamshedpur FC having announced its withdrawal from the upcoming season on July 31.