IFL 2025-26: Which teams will play for ISL promotion?

The bottom four teams will fight in the relegation round.

The time has arrived, Indian Football League(IFL), the rebranded form of the formerly called I-League, has officially set the tone as IFL’s first round of games comes to an end.

Diamond Harbour FC are currently the league leader with 22 points. Following them, Shillong Lajong FC and Sreenidi Deccan made their path into the top three standings.

These teams have shown consistency over the season. The top six teams will feature in the Indian Football League championship round as they will fight for next season’s ISL promotion.

The first phase of round 1 ended in the IFL with the game between Real Kashmir FC and Sreenidi Deccan FC.

While I-League champions previously earned a place in the ISL, this season’s winners will once again secure automatic promotion. However, the format has been revised, similar to the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, featuring a two-stage structure.

The top six teams will now compete in the Championship Round, while the remaining four sides will fight to avoid relegation in the Relegation Round.

Six teams to play for the ISL promotion

The promotion to Indian Super League was on the line for the 10 teams from the start of this season. Every single club put their best possible efforts to make their spot in the promotion round of the tournament.

But only the top six teams made their way into the second round of the league. The points that the clubs have earned in the first phase of the league will be carried forward.

Top 6 teams of IFL 2025-26:

• Diamond Harbour FC
• Shillong Lajong FC
• Sreenidi Deccan FC
• Rajasthan United FC
• Chanmari FC
• Dempo SC

These six teams will play each other in the championship round. Every club will fight for five games, three home games and two away games will be there for the teams, and the accumulated points they have clinched in the first phase will be added in the second phase. Diamond Harbour FC is currently the league leader with 22 points.

Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Namdhari FC, and Real Kashmir FC, the remaining four clubs, will battle their hearts out in the relegation round, eager to secure their spot in the Indian Football League (IFL) next season.

The top six clubs in the IFL 2025-26

1. Diamond Harbour FC (Points: 22, Position: 1)

Diamond Harbour FC is the league leader in the IFL with 22 points with them. From the very beginning of the season, they played some brilliant football with their sheer mentality and a balanced squad, a good mix of foreign players and young Indian players with potential.

They just lost one game, but since then, the winning momentum of the team has continued. In the last game of phase 1, they thrashed Gokulam 5-2, indicating their ruthless nature.

Players like Antonio Moyano, Hugo Diaz and Luca Majcen are very impactful in the forward line for them. Diamond Harbour FC is the main contender to get a promotion to the ISL.

2. Shillong Lajong FC (Points: 17, Position: 2)

Shillong Lajong finished five points behind the league leaders, but they have had a great season to remember. With a great young squad, Shillong Lajong FC are in second position after the completion of all of their phase 1 games.

Perhaps, they have a young squad, but the results went their way, as they thrashed Aizawl FC in their previous game. Everbrightson Sana and Phrangki Buam are their standout performers in the IFL as they both scored four goals each.

3. Rajasthan United FC (Points: 17, Position: 3)

The Desert Warriors make their place in the championship round with some outstanding brand of football and look to gain promotion in the ISL next year. They are currently in the third position of the league as they lost two games and drew two.

Amadou Soukouna is their best player in this first round of the league, who created chances and converted them. Pressing high in every single aspect makes the team very impactful. Rajasthan United FC are now set to play five games in the championship round.

4. Sreenidi Deccan FC (Points: 15, Position: 4)

Sreenidi Deccan FC, who sat third on the table before their clash against Real Kashmir, is currently placed fourth after this loss. With 15 points in hand, they find themselves fourth on the table.

A bunch of good games, but that ended up in a draw as they won four games and lost two in their nine games.

From their side, they will be a good test for the opponents in the championship round, with a lethal striker like Paulo Cezar, who played for Real Kashmir previously.

5. Chanmari FC (Points: 11, Position: 5)

A great turnaround for them as they find themselves fifth in the table with just 11 points in hand after they played nine games. A huge 11-point deficit from the top spot. New coach in the fort, Dipankur Sharma, who was their coach before they were in the second division of the Indian Football.

After his arrival, things have changed. They secured a draw and a comfortable win in their last game against Namdhari FC.

6. Dempo SC (Points: 9, Position: 6)

The last club to make their path for the championship round is Dempo SC. Former National League champions have had a mixed season so far, as they have earned just nine points in their nine games, which shows the narrow and tight manner in which the mid-table teams have competed.

Relying on Marcus Joseph, who is the IFL top scorer with seven goals, is their best player this season. The Golden Eagles are on a good run of form having beaten Shillong Lajong FC and Aizawl FC. They lost their last game of the first round against Rajasthan United FC 2-1.

Players with the most goals after matchday 26 of IFL 2025-26

• Marcus Joseph jr (Dempo) – 7 goals
• Amadou Soukouna (Rajasthan FC) – 4 goals
• Antonio Moyano (Diamond Harbour) – 4 goals
• Phrangki Buam (Shillong Lajong) – 4 goals
• Everbrightson Sana (Shillong Lajong) – 4 goals

Broadcast Details

The Indian Football League 2025-26 season will be televised live on DD Sports.

It will be broadcasted on DD Sports, and it will also be streamed on the Waves app and Sony LIV app and website

Fans can watch the game on their phones, laptops and tablets, ensuring access anytime and anywhere.

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