AIFF to Meet ISL Clubs on November 18 as Uncertainty Over League Future Deepens

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will convene a crucial meeting with all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on November 18 at the Football House in New Delhi, in a bid to break the ongoing deadlock surrounding the league’s future and explore a possible window for the 2025–26 season.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey confirmed that the follow-up meeting comes just days after a preliminary discussion with club representatives on November 12. “Following a meeting with all clubs on November 12, we have scheduled a follow-up on November 18. We’re also hoping for a positive direction from the Hon’ble Supreme Court to take Indian football forward,” Chaubey told Sportstar.

The federation has proposed holding the ISL between January 1 and May 31, a compact 150-day schedule featuring 187 matches if all 14 teams participate. “It is mathematically possible and has happened before,” Chaubey said, adding that the AIFF plans to list the matter in the Supreme Court on November 19, pending the outcome of next week’s discussions.

The uncertainty surrounding the league’s continuation stems from the expiration of the AIFF’s existing contract with its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), in December. Despite an RFQ (Request for Quotation) being floated for a new partner, no bids were received by the November 7 deadline.

The absence of a commercial and broadcast partner has left the ISL in limbo, with clubs facing mounting financial pressure. Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and Odisha FC have already suspended operations, while several players issued a joint statement urging the authorities to resume the league without delay.

At the November 12 meeting, both clubs and players agreed to file individual petitions in the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent resolution to the crisis. The AIFF’s upcoming session will now serve as a decisive platform for clubs to present concrete proposals and recommendations to revive the league.

However, logistical and financial challenges loom large. Organising a full league season without a commercial partner or broadcast deal poses a significant hurdle. The AIFF’s proposed January–May window could be a lifeline, but its feasibility hinges on securing resources and consensus among stakeholders.

With the Supreme Court likely to play a pivotal role in the league’s immediate future, November 18 is shaping up to be a defining day for Indian football  one that could determine whether the ISL survives or faces a prolonged suspension.