ISL 2025–26 Opener: Mumbai City Face Chennaiyin FC — All You Need to Know

The Mumbai City FC will kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 campaign against Chennaiyin FC on Thursday at the Mumbai Football Arena. The match is scheduled to begin at 19:30 IST and will be streamed live on FanCode.

Season Opener With New Ambitions

Entering his third season with Mumbai City FC, head coach Petr Kratky will aim to begin the campaign with a victory in front of home supporters. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC, under new head coach Clifford Miranda, will be eager to make a strong early statement in the league.

Mumbai City finished sixth in the 2024–25 regular season and were knocked out in the Eliminator after a 0–5 defeat to Bengaluru FC. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, ended the previous season in 11th place.

Last season, the Islanders had the upper hand against Chennaiyin, securing a 1–0 home win and playing out a 1–1 draw in Chennai. Mumbai City also reached the AIFF Super Cup semi-finals, where they were eventually eliminated by eventual winners FC Goa.

Squad Updates

Mumbai City have strengthened their squad by re-signing Jorge Pereyra Díaz and adding experienced players like Jonny Kauko and Nuno Reis. They have also retained a strong Indian core featuring Lallianzuala Chhangte, Brandon Fernandes, Vikram Pratap Singh, and others.

Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, will field a relatively revamped squad, including experienced and proven ISL foreign signings such as Alberto Noguera and Mohammed Ali Bemammer, along with Eduardo Kau and Iñigo Martín.

Coaches Speak

Ahead of his first ISL game as Chennaiyin head coach, Miranda said, “Starting against Mumbai City is a big challenge, but we accept it. Things can change, and hopefully, we can make that change happen.”

Chennaiyin last defeated Mumbai City in 2020 and have since gone 14 matches without a win against the Islanders. In their previous meeting, Mumbai City comfortably beat Chennaiyin 4–0 in the AIFF Super Cup.

Analyzing the opposition, Kratky said, “Chennaiyin have a new look this season. We’ve analyzed their pre-season, but the first game is always unpredictable. We need to focus on our process and ensure we execute from the very first whistle.”

Speaking about the team’s mindset, Miranda added, “The past is the past. This is a new beginning for the club—a new team and a new opportunity. We are adopting a completely different style from the last two seasons, and we believe we can surprise people this year. It will take time, but the players are mature and ready to adapt. We must remain disciplined and ruthless when opportunities come.”

Chennaiyin defender Pritam Kotal emphasized the importance of a strong start, saying, “It’s a new season. Our main focus is to perform well as a group. We’ve prepared well, and our focus is on the match against Mumbai. We’ll try to give our best and take all three points.”

Mumbai City captain Lallianzuala Chhangte echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Chennai are very competitive. We cannot take them lightly. The boys are hungry, and we’re working tirelessly for the perfect combination. I hope you’ll see that passion and energy tomorrow.”