Punjab FC and Odisha FC set for ISL season opener

Punjab FC were scheduled to open their 2026-27 Indian Super League campaign against Odisha FC on Wednesday, October 14, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, in a matchup shaped by contrasting preseason preparations. Kickoff was listed for 7:30 p.m. IST. The supplied match previews do not report a result, so the outcome is not established here. Punjab entered the fixture after an extended preseason that included eight matches and a run to the IFA Shield semifinals. Coach Pavlos Dermitzakis said the team was well prepared and aimed to win every game. He described Punjab’s preferred style as attractive, combination-based football, while emphasizing balance and the ability to adapt tactically. The club’s 27-player squad includes 10 academy graduates, three more than the previous season, according to preseason reporting. Punjab finished sixth in the previous shortened league campaign. Dermitzakis said the team had added players in positions where it wanted reinforcements and believed the squad could compete for the championship. Odisha faced the opener without preseason exposure matches. Coach T.G.