Key takeaways from AIFF & ISL clubs' joint press conference

AIFF & ISL managing committee unveils plan for ISL 2026-27

On 8th July 2026, the All-India Football Federation & the ISL club managing committee unveiled the plans for the Indian Super League’s (ISL) future in a joint press conference which took place at New Delhi. The press conference clarified the questions that were looming over the league’s future and confirmed that the 2026-27 season will be conducted under a commercially club-led model.

Along with this there was also an update shared about the participation of the IFL 2025-26 champions Diamond Harbour FC who secured direct promotion to ISL & much more.

In this article we take a look at the key takeaways from the press conference.

Greenlight for the club-led model

The club-led model has now received a green light, with the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) set to send letters to all ISL clubs where they will be asked to pay the participation fee of ₹1.1 crores annually in 2 installments and confirm their participation for the upcoming season, following which the league’s final operational framework will be determined.

Mr. M. Satyanarayan also cleared the air regarding the IFL 2025-26 champions Diamond Harbour FC’s participation in the upcoming ISL season amid the situation surrounding the club.

AIFF General Secretary Mr. M. Satyanarayan stated, “A letter will be sent to all 14 teams asking them to pay the participation fees. Based on their responses, a decision will be made on how the league will proceed. Currently Diamond Harbour have been promoted so they are there.”

A four year club-led model

The club-led model has been introduced for a four-year framework. Under the proposed model, clubs will have the option to review their involvement moving forward after the first two years and decide whether they want to continue or exit the model.

However, Mr. M. Satyanarayan expressed that the initiative would prove to be beneficial and last long moving forward.

He stated, “We are planning this as a four-year model. After two years, the clubs can decide whether they want to exit the model or continue. However, given the way things are progressing, it will probably not happen.”

OCI players to be regarded as foreigner

In the press conference it was communicated that the proposal of ISL clubs to sign the OCI players be entirely optional for the 2026-27 season is approved.

Under this, the clubs will be allowed to register up to 6 foreigners, with maximum 4 on the field.

And OCI players will not have a separate category and will be regarded as a foreign player occupying the six available foreign slots.

No mandatory Indian number 9 rule

Mr. M. Satyanarayan clarified that there will not be any mandatory rule needing the clubs to field an Indian number 9 in the first eleven.

However, Mr. Satyanarayan did acknowledge that while striker development remains a priority, team decision making rests fully on the head coach and can’t be decided by the federation.

“The clubs are also aware that one of our biggest Achilles’ heels has been the lack of a quality striker. Hopefully, they will help address that.”

“However, this is not something we can enforce. We cannot tell clubs to play a No. 9 because, ultimately, team selection and tactics are the coach’s decision. Every match is different—sometimes a coach wants to go for a win, while in other games they may be satisfied with a draw. So it is very difficult for us, or even for the clubs, to implement such a mandate.”

“We are not insisting on it, but the clubs understand that one of our key priorities is to develop and produce quality strikers, and we will continue working towards that.” he added.

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