The start of the new Indian Super League (ISL) season, initially set for September 4, will be delayed by over a month, now kicking off after October 6. This change comes to accommodate the FIFA international match window, which runs from September 21 to October 6.
In this upcoming season, the league will feature 13 teams, as Diamond Harbour FC, the champions of the Indian Football League 2025-26, didn’t pay the second part of their participation fee—Rs 55 lakh—by the deadline. Diamond Harbour earned their spot in the ISL by winning the previous league.
A senior official from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed to PTI, “The ISL is likely to start only in October after the FIFA window.” They also stated, “We are going with 13 teams in the ISL.”
All 14 clubs were required to pay a total participation fee of Rs 1.1 crore to the AIFF. The deadline for the second installment was extended for Diamond Harbour till Wednesday after August 14, when other clubs like Churchill Brothers had already paid the complete fee. Churchill secured their ISL spot following a transfer of ownership from Jamshedpur Football Club, which withdrew and disbanded its team on July 31.
In other news, the AIFF has responded to rumors regarding its decision not to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, calling them “incorrect claims.” The federation emphasized that the decision was made to focus on a key international friendly against Brazil, acknowledging the significant opportunity this presents for Indian football and its fans.
The match against Brazil is set for October 3 in Kolkata and is expected to uplift the morale of the Indian national team while attracting more fans. The AIFF noted that this collaboration with Brazil is a well-considered sporting opportunity, not simply a one-sided agreement.
The federation respects public opinions but stresses that all statements regarding its finances should be based on accurate information. Misleading statements can harm India’s reputation both nationally and internationally. The AIFF underscored its commitment to address any ongoing dissemination of such false information through appropriate legal channels.
This announcement highlights the ongoing developments in Indian football as teams and fans prepare for the new season ahead.
