The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 is all set to launch on February 14, marking another thrilling chapter in India’s top-tier football competition. 14 teams from across the country will battle it out over the course of the season, aiming for supremacy, glory, and a chance to lift the coveted ISL trophy.
Fans can look forward to a season filled with tactical battles, emerging young talents, and international stars showcasing their skills on Indian soil. With fixtures scheduled across major cities, the league promises high-energy football, fan engagement, and electrifying stadium atmospheres.
Teams are preparing meticulously, with transfers, pre-season camps, and strategy sessions shaping up ahead of the kickoff. Clubs like Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha FC are expected to be major contenders, while new signings and promising youngsters could change the dynamics of the league.
The ISL continues to grow in stature, nurturing Indian football talent, attracting international attention, and inspiring fans across the country. With the season opener set for February 14, football enthusiasts can expect a fiery start to what promises to be a landmark season.
Stay tuned as the chase for the ISL summit begins!
FATORDA, GOA | December 4, 2025 FC Goa marched into their third AIFF Super Cup final after clinching a gripping 2–1 win over Mumbai City FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. The defending champions were tested throughout the night, but early goals from Brison Fernandes (20’) and David Timor (23’) were enough to secure the victory and book a title clash with East Bengal.
The match began in extraordinary fashion, with dramatic scenes unfolding even before kick-off. FC Goa captain Iker Guarrotxena was sent off due to a tunnel incident, forcing a last-minute change in the starting lineup as Javier Siverio stepped in. Despite losing their leader, Goa remained unfazed and focused.
Their resilience showed almost instantly. In the 20th minute, Brison Fernandes pounced on a defensive misjudgment from Mumbai’s Rubio, firing a powerful left-footed shot past Phurba Lachenpa to send Fatorda into raptures. Just three minutes later, Goa struck again. Timor unleashed a fierce long-range effort that Lachenpa mishandled, allowing the ball to loop helplessly into the net, gifting the champions a 2–0 cushion.
Goa continued to dominate much of the first half. Timor nearly doubled his tally from a stunning free-kick, forcing Lachenpa into an outstanding save, before the goalkeeper denied Borja Herrera on the rebound. Mumbai City, though shaken, remained dangerous—most notably when Jorge Pereyra Díaz rattled the crossbar with a sharp effort.
The second half ignited with Mumbai pushing forward aggressively. In the 52nd minute, Hrithik Tiwari brought down Díaz, leading to a penalty. But Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to convert, sending his effort high over the bar, a moment that deeply stung Mumbai’s momentum.
Seven minutes later, Mumbai finally found a breakthrough. Pereyra Díaz slipped a clever ball to Brandon Fernandes, who steadied himself despite slipping and placed a composed finish into the bottom corner. At 2–1, the semi-final roared back to life.
The final half-hour was an all-out Mumbai offensive—relentless pressure, rapid combinations, and multiple attempts on goal. But FC Goa’s defence stood tall, with Hrithik Tiwari making critical saves to keep the Gaurs in front. Mumbai threw bodies forward in stoppage time, but could not force an equaliser.
With the victory, FC Goa advance to the Super Cup final, where they will attempt to defend their crown. However, they will be without captain Guarrotxena, who remains suspended following the pre-match incident.
Fatorda, December 3, 2025: The reigning AIFF Super Cup champions FC Goa are set to light up the Fatorda Stadium once again as they prepare for a much-awaited semifinal showdown against arch-rivals Mumbai City FC on Thursday, December 4, at 8:00 PM IST.
This semifinal arrives at a crucial moment for FC Goa, who have endured one of the most demanding stretches of competitive football among all ISL clubs. While Indian football has seen an extended break in domestic action, the Gaurs have remained in top-flight rhythm. Over the last three months, FC Goa have played an AFC Champions League Two qualifier against Al Seeb (Oman), three Super Cup group-stage matches, and five AFC Champions League Two fixtures against top clubs from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Tajikistan.
With all their Asian away fixtures completed, the champions return home physically sharp, mentally seasoned, and fully in rhythm—an advantage that could prove decisive in a knockout fixture of this magnitude.
Speaking about the team’s momentum, Head Coach Manolo Marquez said: “I would prefer to be in FC Goa’s position with more training and more games. Playing in the AFC Champions League Two against strong teams helps a lot. But again, this is a knockout match—90 or 120 minutes—anything can happen.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC enter the semifinal after nearly a month without competitive action. Despite this, Marquez emphasized that they remain one of the most consistent and formidable sides in Indian football: “They are a quality team with strong foreigners, an experienced coach, and several Indian national team players.”
FC Goa head into the semifinals after a strong group-stage campaign, finishing top of their group despite a narrow loss to NorthEast United in a rotated final match. With the semifinal at hand, the Gaurs are expected to return to a more settled starting XI, restoring full strength as they push to defend their crown.
Young defender Ronney Wilson, who has impressed in both AFC Champions League and Super Cup fixtures, spoke about the team’s unity and growth: “Playing in the Champions League has helped all of us improve. The bond in the dressing room is strong thanks to all these games. We’re ready for the next challenge.”
This matchup also carries emotional weight. Their last meeting in February 2025 saw FC Goa deliver one of their most dominant wins—a 1–3 victory in Mumbai, highlighted by a brace from former fan-favourite Iker Guarrotxena and a composed goal from Borja Herrera. That performance dismantled the hosts and remains a proud memory for the Gaurs.
Now, under the floodlights of Fatorda, the champions return home with rhythm, confidence, and the unwavering support of the Gaurs faithful as they prepare for a high-stakes semifinal filled with intensity, passion, and drama.
In an electrifying Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match, FC Goa delivered a stunning performance to outclass Mumbai City FC 3-1 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Wednesday. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Gaurs, as they broke their 13-match winless streak against the Islanders in the competition.
FC Goa’s triumph was built on a dominant display, with Iker Guarrotxena stealing the show with a brilliant brace. Borja Herrera sealed the win with a goal in the second half, propelling the Gaurs to second place in the standings with 39 points from 20 games.
Guarrotxena opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a breathtaking solo effort. Picking up the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box, he dribbled past the Mumbai City FC defense before striking a precise shot into the bottom right corner. This goal set the tone for FC Goa’s victory.
After Guarrotxena’s second goal in the 41st minute, FC Goa extended their lead in the 64th minute when Herrera capitalized on a poor headed clearance by Mehtab Singh. Left unmarked inside the box, Herrera calmly placed his shot into the bottom right corner, securing a 3-0 lead for the Gaurs.
Despite FC Goa’s defensive efforts, Mumbai City FC earned a late penalty after goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari committed a foul. Lallianzuala Chhangte stepped up and converted from the spot with a left-footed shot down the middle, denying FC Goa a clean sheet. However, the Gaurs comfortably walked away with all three points.
FC Goa’s head coach, Manolo Marquez, made strategic substitutions to secure the victory, bringing in Dejan Drazic, Seriton Fernandes, and Sahil Tavora for Herrera, Udanta, and Ayush Dev Chhetri. This tactical move ensured that the Gaurs maintained their lead and closed out the match.
FC Goa’s 3-1 victory over Mumbai City FC marked a significant turning point in their ISL campaign. With this win, the Gaurs strengthened their position in the standings and sent a strong message to their competitors. As the ISL season unfolds, FC Goa will look to build on this momentum and make a push for the top spot.
