| Year: | 1986 |
| Team: | McNeese State Cowboys |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southland Conference |
| Short Conf: | Southland |
| Record: | 2–9 |
| Conf Record: | 1–4 |
| Head Coach: | John McCann |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Off Coach: | Steve Ensminger |
| Oc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Cowboy Stadium |
The 1986 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference (Southland) during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In fourth year under head coach John McCann, the team compiled an overall record of 2–9, with a mark of 1–4 in conference play, and finished fifth in the Southland.