ISL 2025-26 title race: Punjab FC, Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC battle for glory

The 2025-2026 Indian Super League season is on the eve of its decisive night.

On Thursday, as the final round unfolds simultaneously across the country, ambition, pressure and possibility will collide under the lights in New Delhi and Jamshedpur, where the title race could change and transform with every passing minute.

For Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC, the margins are extremely tight. Months of consistent performances have brought them within striking distance of the top, but one mistake on the final night could end their title hopes.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC face off in a match with the intensity of a knockout match and the implications of a title decider.

With a fixed level of 22 points, both clubs go into the night with the same insight: they have to win to stay in the battle for the title. Anything less could extinguish their hopes before the final whistle has blown elsewhere.

Historically, Mumbai City FC has the edge in this match. In their five previous encounters in the Indian Super League, the Islanders recorded three wins compared to Punjab FC, with the remaining match ending in a draw.

In terms of goals, however, it remains exceptionally tight: Punjab FC scored seven against Mumbai City’s six. Their January 2025 match was a closely contested affair that ended in a 1-1 stalemate in New Delhi.

Further east, at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur FC prepare for a night of small but realistic hopes. The path to the title is the narrowest of the remaining contenders, but not impossible. Firstly, it has to overcome Odisha FC. Then comes the waiting as events in Kolkata and New Delhi decide the fate of the league crown.

With all matches starting at the same time at 7.30pm IST, Thursday promises the kind of last-day football that regularly delivers changing scenarios and late changes in momentum. Every goal will have consequences. Any update from a different stadium may change the look of the race.

What do the coaches say?

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilperis showed glimpses of great football last season, leading his club to a 10th-place finish, but no one really believed his scrappy side could mount a title charge. That it is there even on the last day is a reflection of the progress they have made.

«Last day there were many teams, many possibilities, many scenarios where anyone can become champions. We try to approach this match like any other. And I think that takes the pressure off the team,» Dilperis said.

Reflecting on the club’s high expectations and identity, he added: «When I signed for this club, I knew how demanding this club is. I like this kind of demand because ultimately it means being at the biggest club in India. We can’t be happy if we finish in second place.»

Mumbai City head coach Petr Kratky acknowledged the challenging environment and commented: «We know what is at stake, we have to win and we have to prepare accordingly. So like I said, the team is ready, they want to fight and we will see what happens. Obviously we know Delhi will be very hot, so we have to be extremely well prepared for the conditions and obviously Punjab is a very good team.»

Kratky emphasized the mentality required, stating: «It’s the last one. The winner basically takes all. So again, like I said, for me, we just have to fight. We just have to work and have nothing to lose. There can be nothing left on the field.»

Coyle acknowledged the complex title permutations and emphasized the importance of focusing purely on their own performance. «Our focus is on winning the game. That’s what we have to do, and that’s what we will do… We want to finish the season as strong as possible,» Coyle said.

Elaborating on the title race, he added: «We don’t depend on losing teams; we just depend on them not winning, which is a big difference. But that doesn’t count for anything unless we win our game. So that’s our focus.»

The title comparisons:

As we enter the final day of play, the ISL points table reflects a competition defined by razor-thin margins:

How Mumbai City or Punjab can win: A draw is useless for both teams. They need to win to finish on 25 points. However, with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan already on 23 points with a huge goal difference, Mumbai and Punjab need favorable results from SC Delhi and Inter Kashi to ensure that both the Calcutta giants drop points (loss or draw) in their respective final matches.

How Jamshedpur FC can win: Jamshedpur can reach 24 points with a win over Odisha, but several results are needed to go in its favor with both Kolkata giants needing to lose their matches and the Punjab FC vs Mumbai City FC match needing to end in a draw. Should Bagan and East Bengal draw, Jamshedpur would have to overcome a six-goal deficit to Bagan and a 12-goal deficit to East Bengal to win the title – a scenario that is highly unlikely.

Published on May 20, 2026