Archive · 20 Aug 2026
ISL 2026-27 Delayed Beyond October 6 With 13 Teams
The next Indian Super League season was supposed to begin on September 4.
It will probably start after October 6 instead.
This is because football teams have international matches during that period.
The league is expected to have 13 teams rather than 14.
Diamond Harbour FC did not pay the required ₹55 lakh instalment on time.
Churchill Brothers paid ₹1.1 crore to enter the league after acquiring Jamshedpur FC.
India withdrew from the FIFA ASEAN Cup and chose to play Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.
The AIFF said the Brazil match was properly approved and denied claims about an automatic financial penalty.
The Indian Super League 2026-27 season, originally scheduled for September 4, is expected to begin after October 6.
The delay is linked to the FIFA international window running from September 21 to October 6.
The league is expected to have 13 teams after Diamond Harbour FC missed its extended deadline to pay ₹55 lakh.
Churchill Brothers paid the full ₹1.1 crore participation fee after acquiring Jamshedpur FC’s entire stake.
The AIFF rejected claims of a predetermined penalty over India’s ASEAN Cup withdrawal and defended the Brazil friendly in Kolkata.
- Who
- The AIFF, Indian Super League clubs, Diamond Harbour FC, Churchill Brothers FC and Jamshedpur FC are central to the development.
- What
- The 2026-27 Indian Super League season is expected to start after October 6 with 13 teams instead of 14.
- When
- The season was planned for September 4; the FIFA international window runs from September 21 to October 6, and the Brazil friendly is scheduled for October 3.
- Where
- The Brazil friendly will be played in Kolkata; the league’s opening venue was not specified.
- Why
- The season is being delayed until after the international window, while Diamond Harbour FC’s missed payment reduced the expected number of participating teams. India also prioritized the Brazil friendly over the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Critics’ Claims
AIFF’s Response
Financial penalty for ASEAN Cup withdrawal
Critics’ Claims
Claims circulated that India’s decision not to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 had triggered a predetermined financial penalty or fine.
AIFF’s Response
The AIFF called the claims incorrect and said figures about its finances lacked supporting documentation.
Choosing Brazil over the ASEAN Cup
Critics’ Claims
India’s withdrawal from the ASEAN Cup and decision to prioritize a Brazil friendly prompted criticism and questions about the use of federation funds.
AIFF’s Response
The AIFF said the October 3 match was approved through appropriate institutional processes, offered an exceptional opportunity for Indian football and was a mutually agreed arrangement between two football federations.
Public statements about AIFF finances
Critics’ Claims
Publicly circulated figures and claims raised concerns about the federation’s finances and use of funds.
AIFF’s Response
The AIFF said statements should be based on facts and verifiable information, warning that factually incorrect or defamatory claims could harm India’s reputation and could lead to legal remedies.
- Original planned start
- September 4, 2026
- Expected revised start
- After October 6, 2026
- FIFA international window
- September 21 to October 6
- Expected league size
- 13 teams instead of 14
- Diamond Harbour payment
- ₹55 lakh second instalment; the total participation fee was ₹1.1 crore
- Churchill Brothers payment
- ₹1.1 crore to feature in the ISL after acquiring Jamshedpur FC’s entire stake
- Brazil friendly
- Scheduled for October 3 in Kolkata
