Mohun Bagan Super Giant head into the Indian Super League 2025/26 season carrying the aura of champions and the hunger of history-makers.
After a dream 2024/25 campaign where the Mariners finished top of the league to lift the League Shield and followed it up by winning the ISL Cup in the Playoffs, the Kolkata giants now stand on the brink of an unprecedented third consecutive title.
With the core of their championship-winning squad retained and a few smart, high-quality additions strengthening key areas, Mohun Bagan SG once again look primed to set the benchmark in Indian football.
Potential Starting XI [4-2-3-1]
Vishal Kaith continues to be the undisputed first choice between the sticks, a goalkeeper whose consistency has rewritten ISL records. The man with the most clean sheets in league history remains a pillar of calm and authority, giving Mohun Bagan a massive edge in tight games.
At right-back, new signing Tekcham Abhishek Singh arrives from Punjab FC, bringing youthful energy, athleticism, and attacking intent down the flank. On the opposite side, club captain Subhasish Bose is expected to continue at left-back, offering leadership, tactical intelligence, and reliability in both defence and attack.
The heart of the defence looks equally formidable, with Mehtab Singh slotting in alongside last season’s standout centre-back Alberto Rodríguez. Alberto’s dominance, composure on the ball, and aerial strength, combined with Mehtab’s versatility and reading of the game, give the Mariners one of the strongest defensive pairings in the ISL.
In midfield, continuity remains the key theme for Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Anirudh Thapa and Apuia are set to continue as the central midfield duo, a partnership that blends control, ball progression, and defensive solidity. Thapa’s vision and tempo-setting abilities complement Apuia’s relentless work rate and ball-winning skills, allowing the Mariners to dominate possession and dictate games.
Ahead of them, Dimitri Petratos is expected to operate in a free attacking midfield role, where his creativity, movement, and eye for goal can hurt opponents between the lines. Petratos remains the creative heartbeat of the team, capable of unlocking defences with a single moment of brilliance.
Mohun Bagan’s attacking unit looks just as intimidating on paper. Liston Colaco is likely to shift to the right wing this season, a role that allows him to cut inside, exploit space, and use his pace more dynamically. On the left wing, the arrival of Brazilian attacker Robson “Robinho” Azevedo adds flair, unpredictability, and technical quality to the final third. Robinho’s dribbling ability and direct style could give the Mariners a new attacking dimension against deep defensive blocks.
Leading the line once again will be Jamie Maclaren, the club’s top goal-scorer from last season. With his elite movement, clinical finishing, and big-game mentality, Maclaren remains the ideal striker to spearhead Mohun Bagan’s title defence.
Already boasting the most star-studded and balanced squad in the league, Mohun Bagan Super Giant appear even stronger with improved depth and tactical flexibility. With proven winners across every department and a clear ambition to dominate, the Mariners look like the frontrunners for the ISL title once again. As the new season approaches, the dream of creating history by winning three consecutive league titles feels more realistic than ever for the Green and Maroon faithful.
Conclusion
Mohun Bagan Super Giant stand not just as defending champions, but as the standard every other club must chase. With a squad that blends championship pedigree, tactical clarity, and added quality across key positions, the Mariners appear perfectly equipped to handle the pressure of expectation. Consistency, depth, and a winning mentality define this group, and if they manage to maintain the same hunger that powered last season’s double triumph, history could well be written in Green and Maroon once more. For Mohun Bagan SG, this campaign is not merely about defending titles — it is about cementing an era of dominance in Indian football.
