AIFF sets a January 1 deadline for ISL clubs to confirm participation.

Daily Update, Sports

AIFF has formally sought clarification from Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on their participation and competition format for the 2025–26 season. In a letter dated December 31, the federation set January 1 as a firm deadline, underlining the urgency of the situation.

All India Football Federation (AIFF)

The communication followed multiple coordination meetings between AIFF officials and ISL clubs over the last week. Importantly, the federation made it clear that it needs final clarity before approaching the Asian Football Confederation for a one-time relaxation of compulsory competition requirements.

Moreover, the timing adds pressure. AIFF must submit a detailed update to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports by January 2. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to resume hearings from January 5. Hence, indecision is no longer an option.

“AIFF

“AIFF is required to submit the outcome of these meetings to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports before 2nd January, 2026. Furthermore, the Hon’ble Supreme Court is scheduled to resume after vacation on 5th January 2026, and all stakeholders may be required to file relevant documents in accordance with legal advice.

In this regard, you are requested to kindly confirm the participation of your clubs respective and the proposed competition format, enabling AIFF to formally communicate with the Asian Football Confederation, including the actual number of matches to be played in the tournament for the 2025–26 season. Considering the urgency of the matter, it would be highly appreciated if the above confirmation is received by tomorrow, i.e., 1st January 2026,” the letter read.

Indian Football clubs were already uneasy even before the deadline arrived. During a virtual meeting on December 30, AIFF revealed that hosting just the Goa leg of the ISL could cost ₹42 crore. That estimate includes production and broadcast expenses.

However, discussions around the Kolkata leg remain unresolved. Consequently, several club owners now fear the combined expense could rise beyond ₹60 crore. That figure nearly exhausts AIFF’s projected ₹70 crore operational budget for the first year of its proposed 20-year league structure.

Naturally, the numbers triggered alarm. Clubs believe a centralized season should cost between Rs 35–40 crore. Therefore, the current projections feel excessive. The absence of a confirmed commercial partner has only exacerbated the uncertainty.

Additionally, AIFF indicated that each club may need to contribute around Rs.2.5 crore. This proposal has met resistance. Owners are already cutting budgets. Hence, the risk of withdrawals has increased.

At present, Jamshedpur FC remain the only club to confirm participation regardless of format. In contrast, Odisha FC has warned they may opt out if asked to share costs without guaranteed commercial backing.

AFC clarity now central to AIFF’s next move

Beyond finance, regulatory uncertainty continues to loom large over Indian Football. The AFC has yet to issue formal guidance. Still, its existing rules remain clear.

Clubs should play a minimum of 24 matches. The season must run for eight months. A home-and-away format is compulsory. None of these conditions are realistically achievable before the 31 May deadline.

Under the convention-style model currently discussed, teams would play just 15 matches. That shortfall could threaten India’s continental slots. As a consequence, ISL clubs have urged AIFF to seek a one-time exemption from the AFC.

The 31 December letter reflects that urgency.

AIFF has now asked clubs to confirm participation and format preferences so it can formally approach the AFC with accurate match numbers. In effect, the federation has placed the responsibility back on the clubs.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday asked the clubs to confirm their participation in the postponed season of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the proposed format within a day so that it can inform the continental body the exact number of matches to be played in the competition. With the ISL 2025–26 yet to start, it is certain that the clubs will not be able to play the mandatory 24 matches in the season — including top division league and domestic cup — to be eligible to feature in the AFC Champions League 2. In that respect, the ISL clubs had urged the AIFF to request the Asian Football Confederation for a one-time relaxation in the minimum requirement of 24 matches so that they can play in the ACL 2.

The representatives of the clubs and a committee constituted by the AIFF have had five meetings since December 24 on how to hold the 2025–26 ISL season.

“… the meetings held on 28th December 2025, wherein the ISL Clubs requested the All India Football Federation to take up the matter with the Asian Football Confederation regarding a one-time relaxation in the minimum requirement of 24 matches,” the AIFF said in a letter to the ISL clubs.

“AIFF asks ISL clubs to confirm participation and the proposed competition format in ISL 2024-25 by January 1, 2026. The AFC, the Sports Ministry and the Supreme Court will be informed accordingly.

“Considering the urgency of the matter, it would be highly appreciated if the above confirmation is received by tomorrow, i.e., 1st January 2026. We trust you will appreciate the seriousness and time-sensitive nature of the situation.” The AIFF also said it is required to submit the outcome of the meetings it had with the ISL clubs to the Sports Ministry before January 2, 2026.

“Further, the Honorable Supreme Court is scheduled to resume after vacation on 5th January 2026, and all stakeholders may be required to file relevant documents in accordance with legal advice.” The AIFF had proposed two competition formats for the ISL 2025-26 season, which it wants to start in the first week of February.

The first option is a conference-based league structure where the 14 participating teams would be divided equally into East and West groups. Teams would play against each other only within their respective conventions. The top four sides from each group will advance to a single-leg championship round to determine the ISL winner. All the matches would be played at two centralized venues.

Under the second alternative, all the teams would compete in a single-leg format without conferences. There would be no playoffs, with the league table alone determining the champion at the end of the season.

India has two spots in the ACL 2 — one in group stage for ISL Shield winners and another in playoff round for Super Cup winners.

Every club in the domestic top division also needs to play a minimum of 24 matches in a season — including top division league and domestic cup — to be eligible to feature in the ACL 2.

FC Goa, which had won the Super Cup earlier this year, could be disqualified from participation in ACL 2 play-off round if they do not play the mandatory number of matches.

It is, however, learned that the AIFF will push for the top-tier league to happen this season, albeit truncated, even if the AFC does not agree with the one-time relaxation, thereby missing the ACL 2 slots because of not fulfilling the mandatory number of matches.