The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially recognised the upcoming truncated 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. However, the federation clarified that for this term, winners of the ISL and the Super Cup will only receive indirect slots for the AFC Champions League 2 through zonal qualifiers, rather than direct entry.
The decision follows a delayed start to the league, which forced a reduction in fixtures. As a result, clubs will be unable to meet the AFC’s standard requirement of 24 matches across league and cup competitions for direct qualification. Most teams are expected to play only 16 matches, comprising 13 ISL fixtures and a minimum of three Super Cup games.
In a letter to the AIFF dated January 15, the AFC outlined the regulatory basis for its decision. “With the exception of any additional slot(s) allocated to a Member Association in accordance with Articles 3.4 and 3.5, Member Associations that fail to fulfil the Member Association Eligibility Criteria shall, subject to Article 4.4, be eligible to be allocated only indirect slots for the relevant AFC Club Competition,” the AFC stated.
Shin Man Gil, the AFC’s deputy general secretary for competitions and football, further explained the implications. “In such cases, the number of direct slots for the relevant Member Association(s) in the relevant AFC Club Competition shall be wholly converted into indirect slots (e.g. 2+1 becomes 0+3),” he said.
The 2025-26 ISL season is scheduled to begin on February 14, with all 14 teams set to participate. The league will feature 91 matches, with each side playing 13 single-leg games. This compressed format follows a prolonged stalemate over the league’s commercial arrangements, which left the season in limbo until club participation was confirmed earlier this week.
Earlier, ISL clubs had urged the AIFF to approach the AFC for a one-time relaxation of the 24-match minimum requirement. Acting on the request, AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan wrote to the AFC, stating: “In light of the exceptional circumstances impacting Indian football this season, we respectfully request that your esteemed office grant the AIFF and the clubs participating in the ISL a one-time exemption from the minimum requirements set forth in the AFC Regulations.”
He further specified: “We request that a minimum of sixteen (16) matches be deemed sufficient for clubs participating in the ISL to qualify for direct entry into club competitions organised by the AFC, and that the ISL season scheduled to take place between 14 February 2026 and [] along with the Super Cup held between 25 October 2025 and 7 December 2025, be considered sufficient for maintaining direct entry slots.”
Despite the appeals, the AFC confirmed that regulations governing indirect allocation would apply this season. Meanwhile, the AIFF has begun preparations for fixtures and broadcast arrangements, having requested venue details from clubs last Saturday.
“Such an exemption would significantly support the AIFF’s efforts to restart the league and serve as an important encouragement to clubs during this challenging period for all stakeholders in Indian football,” Satyanarayan added.
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