A day after top football stars urged FIFA for positive news, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) revealed that the dates for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season will be disclosed next week. The AIFF office bearers, after an emergency meeting, acknowledged the report from the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee formed on December 20, 2025. The Coordination Committee submitted its report as requested by January 2, 2026, which was accepted by the AIFF.
The AIFF will oversee the league following the Coordination Committee’s recommendations, with the commencement date set to be announced in the coming week. The league’s fate was uncertain due to failed negotiations between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and AIFF regarding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) renewal for operating the ISL. The AIFF received assurances from most ISL members for potential participation in the upcoming season, subject to satisfactory financial and governance guarantees.
Several players, including Gurpreet, Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri, expressed concerns in a video appeal to FIFA, highlighting the need for clarity, protection, and a secure future for players, staff, owners, and fans. The players emphasized the urgent intervention required to address the humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis facing Indian football. They called upon FIFA to intervene and help save Indian football from a state of uncertainty.
