Punjab FC name 24-man squad with 6 new signings for IFA Shield 2026-27
Synopsis
Punjab FC have overhauled their squad and coaching staff ahead of the IFA Shield 2026-27, bringing in four foreign recruits and naming a new head coach in Pavlos Dermitzakis. Their group-stage draw alongside East Bengal FC makes this more than just a warm-up — it is an early statement of intent for a club rebranding itself under European leadership.
Key Takeaways
Punjab FC have named a 24-member squad for the IFA Shield 2026-27 , including six new players .
New head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has named his first squad, comprising 20 Indian and four foreign players .
Foreign recruits Patrick Gerard Bahanack , Diego Raposo , Alfred Planas Moya , and Raphael Messi Bouli are all fresh signings.
Punjab FC open their campaign against Calcutta Customs Club in Kolkata on 27 September 2026 .
The club have been placed in Group II alongside East Bengal FC and Calcutta Customs Club .
Punjab FC have unveiled a 24-member squad for the IFA Shield 2026-27 football tournament, featuring six new players and a revamped coaching setup ahead of their opening fixture against Calcutta Customs Club in Kolkata on 27 September 2026. The squad, named by new head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, blends seasoned professionals with younger talent from the club's own setup.
New Signings and Squad Composition
The Shers have assembled a balanced unit of 20 Indian players and four foreign recruits. The overseas additions — Patrick Gerard Bahanack, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya, and Raphael Messi Bouli — are all fresh signings brought in specifically for this campaign. Bahanack reinforces a defensive line that also features Muhammad Uvais, Karish Soram, Ngarin Shaiza, Suresh Meitei, Mohammed Sohel Khan, and Bishu Sharma.
In goal, experienced custodian Arshdeep Singh is supported by Muheet Shabir and Ayush Deshwal. The midfield, built around Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Nikhil Prabhu, Rishikanta Meitei, Arshvir Singh, Mohammad Inam, and Manglenthang Kipgen, provides width and creative depth.
Upfront, foreign trio Raposo, Planas Moya, and Messi Bouli are expected to lead the attacking charge alongside domestic forwards Muhammad Suhail, Konsam Sanathoi Singh, Bikash Singh Sagolsem, Vishal Yadav, and Gurkirat Singh.
New Coaching Structure
This marks the first squad announcement under Dermitzakis, who took over as head coach this season. He is supported by Technical Director Georgios Angelidis, assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty, strength and conditioning coach Christos Vorgiatzidis, and goalkeeping coach Vinay Singh. The multi-national backroom staff signals the club's intent to bring a more structured, European-influenced approach to their preparations.
Group Stage Challenge
Punjab FC have been placed in Group II of the IFA Shield 2026-27 alongside East Bengal FC and Calcutta Customs Club. The opener against Calcutta Customs Club on 27 September in Kolkata will serve as an early test of how well Dermitzakis's tactical ideas have taken root. Notably, sharing a group with East Bengal FC — one of Indian football's most storied clubs — adds considerable competitive weight to the group stage.
Full Squad for IFA Shield 2026-27
Goalkeepers: Arshdeep Singh, Muheet Shabir, Ayush Deshwal
Defenders: Muhammad Uvais, Karish Soram, Ngarin Shaiza, Patrick Gerard Bahanack, Suresh Meitei, Mohammed Sohel Khan, Bishu Sharma
Midfielders: Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Nikhil Prabhu, Rishikanta Meitei, Arshvir Singh, Mohammad Inam, Manglenthang Kipgen
Forwards: Muhammad Suhail, Konsam Sanathoi Singh, Bikash Singh Sagolsem, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya, Vishal Yadav, Raphael Messi Bouli, Gurkirat Singh
All eyes will be on how Punjab FC's new-look side performs when competitive action begins on 27 September in Kolkata.
Point of View
Back him with a European technical director and a foreign-heavy backroom staff, and bring in four overseas outfield players for a domestic cup tournament suggests ambitions that stretch well beyond the IFA Shield. The real question is whether this investment translates into ISL competitiveness — the Shield will be an early indicator of how quickly Dermitzakis can impose an identity on a squad that is still taking shape. For Indian football, the trend of clubs using pre-season cup tournaments as full squad rehearsals is healthy, but it also raises the bar on what 'early-round exit' means for a club of Punjab FC's stated ambitions.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Punjab FC's new signings for the IFA Shield 2026-27?
Punjab FC have signed four foreign players — Patrick Gerard Bahanack, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya, and Raphael Messi Bouli — as part of their six new additions to the squad for the IFA Shield 2026-27. The remaining new inclusions come from within the Indian player pool.
Who is Punjab FC's new head coach?
Pavlos Dermitzakis is Punjab FC's new head coach, having taken charge this season. He is supported by Technical Director Georgios Angelidis, assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty, strength and conditioning coach Christos Vorgiatzidis, and goalkeeping coach Vinay Singh.
When and where does Punjab FC play their first IFA Shield 2026-27 match?
Punjab FC open their IFA Shield 2026-27 campaign against Calcutta Customs Club in Kolkata on 27 September 2026. The match is their first competitive fixture of the season under new coach Pavlos Dermitzakis.
Which teams are in Punjab FC's IFA Shield 2026-27 group?
Punjab FC have been placed in Group II alongside East Bengal FC and Calcutta Customs Club. The group includes one of Indian football's most established clubs in East Bengal FC, making it a competitive early-season test.
How many players are in Punjab FC's IFA Shield squad?
Punjab FC's squad for the IFA Shield 2026-27 consists of 24 players — three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards — with 20 Indian players and four foreign recruits.
