The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to stage the Super Cup ahead of the ISL in the 2025–26 season. The move, aimed at ensuring clubs start the season and players get paid, comes amidst continuing uncertainty over ISL’s schedule due to pending legal and commercial issues.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with all ISL club CEOs, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said the Super Cup will be scheduled shortly after India wraps up its CAFA Nations Cup campaign in Central Asia.
“Super Cup should be held in the second or third week of September. Some teams need six to eight weeks to complete their pre-season. In our next meeting, we will be in a position to announce the date of kick-off,” Chaubey said.
India’s last group match in the CAFA Nations Cup is on September 4, with the final scheduled for September 8.
ISL Season Uncertain, But Assured
The future of the ISL season remains uncertain due to the ongoing suspension of the master rights agreement between AIFF and its commercial partners. The issue has been further complicated by a Supreme Court observation that has put any new rights deal on hold. As a result, commercial partners are not yet ready to commit to ISL operations until the matter is legally resolved.
Despite this, Chaubey maintained that ISL will take place, though later than usual.
“ISL is the top league of the country, and it will happen. Last year, it started on September 14 and the year before, on September 21. This year, it may be delayed by 6–8 weeks, but I don’t see a possibility of it not taking place,” he said.
The number of matches in the ISL season also remains undecided and is currently a “matter of discussion with the clubs,” he added.
Legal Intervention Likely by Clubs
With the master rights issue pending, ISL clubs are considering filing an intervention appeal with the Supreme Court, a move AIFF reportedly supports in order to resolve the impasse. A decision on this is expected in the next 7 to 10 days, when AIFF and clubs are scheduled to meet again.
“This could help bring clarity to the season,” an AIFF official said, indicating the federation’s willingness to let the clubs pursue legal clarity on their own terms.
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First Joint Meeting Since 2019, Press Briefing Tightly Controlled
Thursday’s meeting marked the first time since 2019 that AIFF, its commercial partners, and all ISL clubs were present in the same room. Odisha FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and East Bengal attended virtually, while the rest were present in person. However, only FC Goa and NorthEast United participated in the press conference that followed, and both refrained from offering specifics.
“I don’t think we’ve had time to actually sit down and digest all the information. You will have to give us a little bit of time,” said FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur. “You can’t just press a button and things fall into place. We are all here because we want the game to continue.”
Delayed Salaries Not Formally Addressed
The issue of pending salaries for players and staff in some ISL clubs was not formally raised during the meeting. While several reports have indicated delays in payments, Chaubey declined to address it directly.
“It’s a matter between the clubs and their players. But when players get game time and the tournaments happen, obviously the clubs will pay,” he said.
