AIFF reassures clubs about continuity of top-tier football league

The AIFF President reassured clubs about the continuation of the top-tier league and confirmed that the Super Cup will be held before the ISL to ensure six to eight weeks of pre-season

Hyderabad: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) reassured the clubs that the top-tier league will be held in the country, as has been the norm over the years.

“Football is a matter of national interest. Individuals may change, but the game must go on,” said the AIFF President. “Given the pre-season requirements and the tight calendar, the Super Cup is expected to take place before the ISL to provide clubs with six to eight weeks of pre-season,” the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said.

---

The federation suggested that the Super Cup be held before the start of the league, which will allow all clubs to end the 2025-26 season by May 31, 2026, preserving India’s AFC competition eligibility.

This was conveyed at a meeting of the AIFF with the Indian Super League clubs in Delhi on Thursday.

The meeting, chaired by AIFF President, brought together key stakeholders, including club CEOs of 13 clubs, representatives from FSDL, and AIFF representatives, Vice President NA Haris, Treasurer Kipa Ajay, Chairperson, Finance Committee, Menla Ethenpa, and Chairperson, League Committee, Lalnghinglova Hmar, to address the clubs.

A follow-up meeting is expected in the next seven to 10 days to finalise the Super Cup kick-off date and related logistics.

“Football is a matter of national interest. Individuals may change, but the game must go on,” said the AIFF President. “Given the pre-season requirements and the tight calendar, the Super Cup is expected to take place before the ISL to provide clubs with six to eight weeks of pre-season.”

The AIFF chief assured that all football activities and tournaments will proceed as promised. “We have 22 national tournaments (including ISL), with over 1,800 matches played last year. Football in India will continue uninterrupted, like, Madhya Pradesh, the U17 women’s and the U23 men’s national teams which are camping in Bengaluru, and the U20 women’s national team, which is currently playing the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Myanmar, and the AIFF Futsal Club Championship, which began on August 3, in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand,” he said,” he said.