The season-opening Super Cup will start from October 25 in Goa, an All India Football Federation (AIFF) official said on Tuesday. It is a change in the tournament’s traditional schedule since the Super Cup has always been the season-closing tournament. But because of the prevailing situation in Indian football, it will now begin the 2025-26 season.
All Indian Super League (ISL) teams, with the exception of Odisha FC, have consented to join in. They will be accompanied by four I-League clubs: Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala FC, and Rajasthan United. The draw for the tournament is going to be virtually conducted this Thursday, and clubs are looking forward to witnessing the season’s first fixtures.
AFC Champions League 2 Spot At Stake
The AIFF has made an announcement that the Super Cup winner will get a place in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) play-offs for the 2026-27 season. But the participating club should have the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing Regulations for the forthcoming season.
FC Goa, the 2024-25 Super Cup winners, progressed to the ACL 2 play-offs and then into the group stage this season. The AIFF made it clear that if an Indian club does not qualify from the ACL 2 play-offs, it will automatically be placed in the AFC Challenge League (ACGL) group stage, the third tier of continental club football. This mechanism keeps Indian clubs with regular continental involvement, even when they are eliminated early from the ACL 2 play-offs.
Return Of Indian Domestic Football
Indian domestic football was left uncertain in recent times when the ISL was suspended temporarily because of unresolved matters over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), organizers of the league. The postponement had left everyone confused about schedules, registration of players, and plans for the tournament.
Yet, there is clarity now after the Supreme Court’s seal of approval for AIFF’s new constitution, which opens the way for smoother running of domestic tournaments. With this, the Super Cup is set to be a eagerly-awaited season opener, giving fans the first glimmer of competitive football in the 2025-26 season.
