AIFF confirms OCI players to have no separate category; Indian striker rule not mandatory for ISL 2026-27

OCI players to be considered as foreigner in ISL.

With the joint post conference by AIFF and ISL clubs taking place on 8th July, multiple doubts regarding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) have been clarified. One such is the OCI player rule and the Indian striker rule.

Earlier, there were reports that the league would likely have an OCI category where the clubs could sign an OCI player, which would not count in the foreign category. Along with that, there was another proposal of fielding an Indian number 9 on the field for 90 minutes to develop the Indian strikers. However, after multiple reviews and the clubs’ request, these rules have now not been implemented.

In this article, we look at what were the decisions were regarding the OCI players and the Indian striker rule.

OCI players not a different category

Today in the joint press conference it was decided that the proposal of ISL clubs to sign the OCI players be entirely optional for the 2026-27 season.

It was decided that the clubs will be allowed to register up to 6 foreigners, with maximum 4 on the field.

And the OCI players will not have a separate category which will consider them as a foreign player occupying the six available foreign slots.

Earlier it was decided that the OCI players be given a different category in the Indian Super League (ISL) for better integration of OCI players in the national team. However, due to various reasons like high salary and other multiple factors involving the OCI players various ISL clubs were hesitant to take the approach.

Ultimately, it was decided that the OCI players will be considered as a foreign player and will not hold any special category in the league. With that the clubs can still sign OCI players regardless of this and will occupy the six available foreign slots.

Whether this is the right decision or not remains to be seen. Only time will tell what this decision holds.

Another key question is whether ISL clubs will now sign OCI players, given that they will no longer occupy a separate category. That, too, is something only the future will reveal.

Also Read: Key takeaways from AIFF & ISL clubs’ joint press conference

Fielding an Indian striker not mandatory

Another major proposal discussed was the mandatory inclusion of an Indian striker on the field for the full 90 minutes, regardless of substitutions. This was decided for the development of an Indian number 9 which the national team lacks after the departure of Sunil Chhetri.

However, in the recent press conference it was cleared that this rule would not be implemented while striker development remains a priority, team decision making rests fully on the head coach and can’t be decided by the federation or the organizers.

Mr. M. Satyanarayan stated regarding the mandatory number 9 rule in the press conference, “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.

Now was this the right decision or not still remains a question. While it is true that to develop an Indian striker for the national team, the players need to get enough game time and be tested.

On the other hand, things cannot be taken away from the clubs’ point of view, they will always aim to win and for that if the Indian striker is not good enough, they will field in a much more quality foreign forward.

As a result, the decision on how long to field an Indian striker will be left entirely to the coach, based on the team’s tactical requirements and match situation. It will be completely optional, rather than a mandatory rule requiring clubs to field an Indian striker.

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