City Football Group Exits Mumbai City FC Amid Uncertainty in Indian Football

Mumbai City FC are set for a significant ownership transition after informing the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that City Football Group (CFG) has entered into an agreement to sell its majority stake in the club.

As per the arrangement, CFG will offload its 65% shareholding to Mumbai City Football India Pvt Ltd, the club's parent company, marking the end of a partnership that began in November 2019.

CFG, widely regarded as the world's leading private owner and operator of football clubs, oversees a global network of 13 teams spread across five continents, with Premier League giants Manchester City FC as its flagship property. When the group partnered with Mumbai City nearly six years ago, it acquired a controlling stake, while actor Ranbir

Kapoor and businessman Bimal Parekh jointly retained the remaining 35%.

The proposed exit comes at a turbulent time for Indian football. Domestic activity has slowed considerably, and Mumbai City themselves endured a disrupted build-up this season. The club entered the Super Cup after delayed preparations and bowed out in the semifinals following a loss to eventual champions FC Goa. Mumbai City have not issued an official statement on the ownership change so far.

The development also coincides with growing uncertainty surrounding the country's top-tier league. Earlier this month, the agreement between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Reliance-backed Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), ended prematurely. With a failed tender process and no new commercial partner in place, questions continue to loom over the future structure and continuity of Indian football.

Confirming the development, a source told TOI on Wednesday, "CFG's 65% shares have been purchased by Mumbai City's parent company. " The source further added that the federation has been formally notified as part of the licensing process, which mandates prior approval. "The AIFF was informed about this sale as part of the club licensing requirements. The regulations state that the federation must provide its written consent. "

Despite the uncertainty, CFG's tenure at Mumbai City has been one of sustained success. Since the partnership began, the club has claimed the Indian Super League Shield and Trophy twice, establishing themselves as one of the league's most consistent forces. All three head coaches appointed during the CFG era - Sergio Lobera, Des Buckingham and Petr Kratky - delivered silverware while promoting an attacking style of play.

Mumbai City's squad continues to feature several prominent Indian internationals, including captain Lallianzuala Chhangte, Akash Mishra, Brandon Fernandes, Valpuia and Vikram Partap Singh. Their foreign contingent, featuring experienced names such as Tiri, Jorge Ortiz, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Jon Toral, has also played a key role in the club's rise.

As Indian football navigates an uncertain phase, CFG's impending exit signals the close of a successful chapter for Mumbai City FC - and opens a new, yet unclear, one for the club and the league alike.