The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has issued a critical ultimatum to Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, demanding confirmation of their participation in the heavily delayed 2025-26 season by January 1, 2026. This urgent move comes as the league's postponement now directly jeopardizes India's coveted slots in the AFC Champions League 2, the continent's premier club competition.
Race Against Time for Continental Eligibility
With the ISL season yet to commence, it is now mathematically impossible for clubs to fulfill the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) mandatory requirement of playing a minimum of 24 matches in a season. This rule, which includes matches from the top division league and domestic cup, is a non-negotiable criterion for eligibility to feature in the AFC Champions League 2.
India currently holds two spots in the ACL 2: one direct group stage entry for the ISL Shield winners and another in the playoff round for the Super Cup champions. The AIFF, in a letter to the clubs, stated that the ISL clubs have formally requested the federation to seek a one-time relaxation of this 24-match rule from the AFC to salvage the country's participation.
Two Proposed Formats and a Legal Tangle
The AIFF has proposed two truncated competition formats to salvage the season, aiming for a kick-off in the first week of February 2026. The federation needs the clubs' immediate consent on a format to formally inform the AFC, the Sports Ministry, and the Supreme Court.
The first proposed format is a conference-based system. The 14 ISL teams would be split into East and West groups, playing matches only within their conference. The top four teams from each group would then progress to a single-leg championship round. All matches would be held at two centralized venues.
The second option is a simpler single-leg format for all teams without any conferences or playoffs. The team topping the league table at the end of this round-robin would be crowned champion.
The situation is further complicated by legal and administrative hurdles. The AIFF must submit the outcome of its meetings with clubs to the Sports Ministry before January 2, 2026. Furthermore, the Supreme Court, which intervened after the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with former organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) expired on December 8, resumes session on January 5, requiring stakeholders to file relevant documents.
High Stakes for Clubs and Indian Football
The implications are severe for specific clubs. FC Goa, the current Super Cup winners, faces disqualification from the ACL 2 playoff round if the mandatory match count is not met. Sources indicate that the AIFF is prepared to conduct a truncated league even if the AFC denies the relaxation, meaning Indian clubs would likely forfeit their ACL 2 spots for this cycle.
This crisis stems from the uncertainty over the league's commercial rights. The 2025-26 season was put on hold in July. A subsequent proposal from 10 ISL clubs for perpetual operational ownership was rejected by the AIFF's General Body on December 20. Recently, the AIFF itself proposed a new 20-season structure under its ownership, featuring promotion and relegation from the upcoming season.
The clock is ticking for Indian football's top tier. The AIFF's letter underscores the "seriousness and time-sensitive nature of the situation," leaving clubs with less than a day to decide on a path forward that will shape the immediate future of the sport in the country.
