The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to meet with the CEOs of eight Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on August 7, 2025, in New Delhi, in a crucial meeting to address concerns surrounding the future of Indian football. This meeting comes after the ISL 2025-26 season was put on hold by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) due to uncertainty regarding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the AIFF. The 15-year MRA, which defines the operational, structural, and commercial framework of the ISL, is set to expire on December 18, 2025.
The eight ISL clubs, including Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, and Punjab FC, had previously written to the AIFF expressing their worries about the "current status and direction" of Indian football. They cited a lack of communication from both the AIFF and FSDL, which has left them unable to plan effectively for the upcoming season. The clubs warned that this lack of clarity is beginning to affect the structural backbone of their institutions. Noticeably absent from the list of signatories were the three Kolkata-based clubs – Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting – as well as Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC.
The AIFF has been restrained from negotiating new terms for the MRA until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the AIFF draft constitution case. This has further complicated the situation, leaving the future of the ISL in limbo. The ISL, which typically runs from September to April, requires advance planning for logistics, player signings, and marketing activities, making the lack of resolution a cause for anxiety within the football ecosystem.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey assured last month that this season's ISL would proceed, though he did not specify a start date. He emphasized the importance of the league for the livelihoods of footballers and others associated with the sport. The AIFF has stated it will take all necessary steps to ensure the ISL's continuation, even potentially in a new or restructured format.
The meeting on August 7 is expected to be a crucial moment for determining the immediate future of the ISL and addressing the concerns raised by the clubs. It will likely involve discussions about potential temporary solutions to ensure the league continues in the upcoming season, as well as the roles of various stakeholders in sustaining and evolving the league. The outcome of the meeting could significantly impact the trajectory of Indian football, especially with the AIFF's long-term "Vision 2047" roadmap in mind. This roadmap aims to establish a three-tier league system with promotion and relegation by 2026, and to position India among the top four footballing nations in Asia.
