Indian Football In Turmoil: AIFF To Announce ISL Dates Next Week Amid FIFA Appeal

The announcement comes at a time when Indian football is facing what players have described as a “permanent paralysis.” The league, which traditionally begins in September, has been delayed for months due to a breakdown in governance and the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with former commercial partners.

The AIFF Emergency Committee Meeting

The decision follows a high-stakes meeting held on Saturday to review a report by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee.

• The Mandate: The committee recommended that the AIFF take direct control of conducting the league for the current season.
• Timeline: Dates for the opening fixtures and the tournament format will be made public next week.
• The “Truncated” Season: Due to the delay, the league is expected to follow a shortened format, possibly at a centralized venue like Goa, to ensure completion before the AFC’s May 31 deadline.

“A Humanitarian Crisis”: The Players’ Plea to FIFA

Just 24 hours before the AIFF’s announcement, the biggest names in Indian football took the extraordinary step of bypassing domestic authorities to appeal directly to FIFA.

In a joint video released on January 2, Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan—alongside foreign stars like Hugo Boumous—called for an urgent intervention from Zurich.

“It’s January and we should be on your screens… but instead, we are driven by fear and desperation,” said Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Sunil Chhetri added, “The Indian football government is no longer able to fulfill its responsibilities. We are facing a humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis.”

Key Challenges Facing the 2025–26 Season

While the AIFF’s commitment to host the league provides a glimmer of hope, several hurdles remain:

1. Financial Stalemate: 13 of the 14 ISL clubs have stated they will only participate if the AIFF waives “participation fees” and covers all operational costs, given the lack of a central commercial sponsor.
2. AFC Eligibility: Clubs must play at least 24 matches to qualify for AFC continental competitions. The AIFF is currently lobbying the Asian Football Confederation for a one-time exemption due to the shortened season.
3. Commercial Vacuum: A recent tender for the league’s commercial and broadcast rights reportedly attracted zero bidders, leaving the federation to fund the multi-crore operation through potential government grants.

Comparison: ISL Normal vs. 2025–26 Crisis Season