ISL Saved! AIFF Confirms 2025–26 Season Will Go Ahead, Dates Coming Next Week

After months of uncertainty, the Indian Super League (ISL) gets the green light.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed on Saturday that the 2025–26 season of the ISL will be conducted, with the official schedule set to be announced next week.

The confirmation came after a meeting of the AIFF Emergency Committee, which reviewed and acknowledged the report submitted by the AIFF–ISL Coordination Committee.

Dates for ISL to be announced next week.#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wzcatqVYQI

— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) January 3, 2026

Emergency Committee Backs AIFF-Led ISL

The Coordination Committee was formed on December 20, 2025, following discussions at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

It was tasked with assessing the feasibility and structure of the upcoming ISL season amid widespread administrative uncertainty.

As directed, the committee submitted its findings to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, a deadline that was met.

After formally acknowledging the report, the Emergency Committee recommended that the ISL be conducted directly under the aegis of the AIFF, effectively clearing the path for the league’s return.

Clarity After Turbulence

The announcement provides long-awaited clarity at a time when Indian football has been engulfed in turmoil. Only days ago, senior players from across the Indian Super League publicly appealed to FIFA and FIFPro, stating that Indian football’s governance was “no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities.”

Against that backdrop, Saturday’s confirmation marks a significant step toward stabilising the domestic calendar and restoring confidence among clubs, players and stakeholders.

What’s Next

While the AIFF has not yet revealed the full roadmap for the season, the federation confirmed that dates for the 2025–26 ISL campaign will be announced next week, ending months of speculation and silence.