In a major development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially confirmed that the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL) will go ahead under its management. The federation has stated that the precise commencement dates for the much-anticipated league will be announced in the coming week, bringing clarity after a prolonged period of delay.
Emergency Committee Meeting Sets the Stage
The decision was finalized following a crucial meeting of the AIFF's Emergency Committee on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The committee convened specifically to review and acknowledge a detailed report submitted by a specially formed AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee.
This Coordination Committee was itself established on December 20, 2025, in the wake of discussions held during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting. The committee was given a clear mandate: to submit its findings and recommendations to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, 2026, a deadline it successfully met.
AIFF Takes Charge of League Operations
After formally acknowledging the report, the AIFF Emergency Committee put forth the key recommendation that the league should be conducted by the All India Football Federation itself. The AIFF has accepted this recommendation, putting an end to speculation about the league's governance for the forthcoming season.
In an official statement released on its social media platforms, including Instagram, the AIFF outlined the sequence of events. "The report was formally acknowledged by the AIFF Emergency Committee, which recommended that the league be conducted by the All India Football Federation. Accordingly, the AIFF will conduct the league, and the date of commencement will be announced next week," the statement read.
Relief After Player Appeals and Prolonged Delay
This announcement comes as a significant relief to the Indian football community, which has endured months of uncertainty regarding the fate of the country's premier football competition. The confirmation follows a powerful, joint appeal made by top Indian and international ISL stars just a day earlier, on Friday.
Prominent players like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Hugo Boumous had released a video statement urgently calling for global football body FIFA to intervene. They highlighted the severe "humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis" faced by players due to the indefinite postponement and administrative deadlock surrounding the league.
While the AIFF's announcement directly addresses the concern over the league's conduction, the specific schedule remains the final piece of the puzzle. All stakeholders, including clubs, players, and millions of fans across the nation, are now eagerly awaiting next week's revelation of the Indian Super League start date, hoping for a smooth and competitive season ahead.
