What happened
Mohun Bagan Super Giant host Punjab FC on Sunday, 4 October at 5 pm IST at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata for the IFA Shield 2026 semifinal.
Why it matters
With Nikhil Prabhu suspended and Lhungdim expected to replace him, Punjab's attacking double of Bouli and Raposo must carry the Shers against a defending champion.
Remember this
Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC: Sunday's 5 pm IST knockout at Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
More context & who is affected
Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Punjab FC meet Sunday at 5 pm IST at Kishore Bharati Krirangan for the IFA Shield 2026 semifinal. The defending champions advanced through Group A on a 6-0 win over Sreenidi Deccan and a 1-1 draw with NorthEast United, while Punjab opened with a 7-0 rout over Calcutta Customs — Raphael Messi Bouli netted a first-half hat-trick and two assists — then beat East Bengal 1-0 on Diego Raposo's 41st-minute strike.
Defensive midfielder Nikhil Prabhu is out, suspended after a second yellow at the 90+2 minute mark against East Bengal. Khaiminthang Lhungdim is expected to fill in, with Bouli and Raposo to carry the Shers' attack. Mohun Bagan field a reported 3-5-2 anchored by Alberto Rodriguez, Rahul Bheke and Subhasish Bose, with Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lee Harry Erwin and Dejan Drasic up front.
No broadcaster has been confirmed yet. The winner faces either East Bengal or NorthEast United before the ISL restarts on October 10.
- Match time and venue
- Sun 4 Oct, 5 pm IST Sunday 4 October, 5 pm IST at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.NDTV Profit
- Punjab absentee
- Nikhil Prabhu Punjab FC defensive midfielder banned after a second yellow in the East Bengal match.NDTV ProfitSportstar (The Hindu)
- Mohun Bagan form
- Group A winners Defending champions; topped Group A after a 6-0 win and a 1-1 draw.NDTV Profit
Tournament at a glance
Both semifinals are scheduled at Kolkata's Kishore Bharati Krirangan; Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC opens Sunday, with the final before ISL kicks off.
- Sep 27 — Punjab FC beat Calcutta Customs 7-0; Bouli hat-trick plus two assists.
- Sep 29 — Mohun Bagan drew 1-1 with NorthEast United, both through from Group A.
- Sep 30 — Punjab FC beat East Bengal 1-0; Raposo struck at 41, Prabhu sent off.
- Oct 4, 5 pm IST — Semifinal 1: Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC, Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
- Oct 6 — Final; winner of SF1 takes on East Bengal or NorthEast United.
Football Enthusiasts
The Sunday knockout decides who reaches the 126th IFA Shield final and could set up a Kolkata derby if East Bengal also progress.
Sports Fans
The 5 pm IST kickoff fits a Sunday evening viewing slot, but fans should check once a broadcaster is named since no streamer has been confirmed.
Football Enthusiasts
Punjab must rebuild midfield cover without Nikhil Prabhu; Mohun Bagan lean on their 3-5-2 and attacking trio of Chhangte, Erwin and Drasic.
Reporting fromNDTV Profit ↗Sportstar (The Hindu) ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- NDTV ProfitReportingPublished Oct 4, 2026 · Accessed Oct 4, 2026
- Sportstar (The Hindu)Reporting
IFA Shield 2026 — Punjab FC thrashes Calcutta Customs to enter semifinals before East Bengal clash ↗
Published Sep 27, 2026 · Accessed Sep 27, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Mohun Bagan Super Giant face Punjab FC in the IFA Shield 2026 semifinal on Sunday, 4 October, at 5 pm IST at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Punjab FC reached the semifinal with a 7-0 win over Calcutta Customs, when Raphael Messi Bouli scored a hat-trick and two assists, and a 1-0 win over East Bengal scored by Diego Raposo in the 41st minute.
Punjab FC defensive midfielder Nikhil Prabhu is suspended after a second yellow card against East Bengal at the 90+2 minute mark; Khaiminthang Lhungdim is expected to replace him.
Mohun Bagan are expected to field a 3-5-2 with Alberto Rodriguez, Rahul Bheke and Subhasish Bose at the back, and Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lee Harry Erwin and Dejan Drasic up front.
