NorthEast United finalise squad for ISL 2026-27 season

NorthEast United FC have completed their squad for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season and will open the campaign against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati, before hosting Kerala Blasters in an early home fixture.

Two-time Durand Cup-winning coach Juan Pedro Benali is set to continue as head coach of the Highlanders for the upcoming season, and he will be keen to win domestic silverware with the team. The club confirmed Benali’s retention as preparations conclude ahead of the season opener at home against the Mariners and the subsequent home meeting with Kerala Blasters.

On the domestic market, NorthEast added Nikhil Barla from Jamshedpur FC and incorporated Abdul Rabeeh, CK Aman and Mohanraj K into their roster. Those acquisitions complete the club’s reinforcement of local options ahead of the new campaign.

To strengthen their foreign contingent, the Highlanders signed Antonio Moyano, Nikola Ninkovic and Ethyan Gonzalez. The arrivals are the named international options for the club’s overseas quota.

The squad list confirmed by the club names the following players by position: Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Gurmeet Singh, Mohanraj K. Defenders: Asheer Akhtar, Buanthanglun Samte, Ngasepam Tondonba Singh, Nikhil Barla, Pramveer Ranbir, Robin Yadav, Saikhom Thoiba Singh, Soraisham Dinesh Singh. Midfielders: Abdul Rabeeh Anjukandan, Antonio Moyano, Danny Meitei Laishram, Jithin Madathil Subran, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mark Zothanpuia, Muthu Irulandi Mayakkannan, Nikola Ninkovic. Forwards: Alaeddine Ajaraie, Aman CK, Eneko Satrustegui Plano, Ethyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Redeem Tlang.

Alaeddine Ajaraie, who won the ISL Golden Boot in ISL 2024-25 season, is listed among the forwards and is identified by the club as a key player for the Highlanders in the upcoming campaign.

NorthEast United FC will play their home games in ISL 2026-27 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati; their first match of the season is confirmed as the home fixture against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.