ISL Clubs Secure Asian Qualification Despite Reduced Season
Indian football clubs will still compete in Asian tournaments next season. This comes despite a shortened Indian Super League season featuring just 13 matches per team. The league normally requires a minimum of 24 matches over eight months to meet Asian Football Confederation standards.
AFC Grants Conditional Approval
The Asian Football Confederation provided crucial clarification to Indian football authorities. AFC officials informed the All India Football Federation that ISL champions can participate in the AFC Champions League Two. However, they must enter through a single-leg playoff round instead of receiving direct group stage entry.
"Member Associations that fail to fulfil the Member Association Eligibility Criteria shall be eligible to be allocated only indirect slots for the relevant AFC Club Competition," stated the AFC's deputy general secretary for competitions and football. "In such cases, the number of direct slots for the relevant Member Association in the relevant AFC Club Competition shall be wholly converted into indirect slots."
India's Continental Representation Changes
India previously enjoyed two continental qualification spots. The ISL champion earned direct entry to the AFC Champions League Two group stages. Meanwhile, Super Cup winners secured a playoff position in the same competition.
Both positions now convert to playoff slots. Winners will advance to the group stage. Losing teams will drop to the third-tier AFC Challenge League.
AIFF Seeks Special Consideration
The All India Football Federation requested special consideration from Asian football authorities. AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan wrote to the AFC seeking a one-time exemption from minimum requirements.
"Such an exemption would significantly support the AIFF's efforts to restart the league," Satyanarayan explained. "It would serve as an important encouragement to the clubs during this challenging period for all stakeholders in Indian football."
The federation cited exceptional circumstances affecting Indian football this season as justification for their request.
League Structure and Participation
Fourteen clubs have confirmed their participation in the upcoming ISL season. Each team will play 13 matches in a single-leg, home-and-away format.
Most clubs will complete 16 official matches during the season when including Super Cup participation. Only Odisha FC will play fewer matches than other participating teams.
The shortened season resulted from scheduling challenges that delayed the league's start. Football officials worked to ensure competitive football could proceed despite these constraints.
