AIFF Club Licensing Premier 1 results for 2026-27 season announced
New Delhi, May 20
The Club Licensing Committee - First Instance Body of the All India Football Federation met on Sunday, May 17, to take its decisions on the ICLS Premier 1 Club Licensing for the 2026-27 season.
The following are the results: License granted with sanctions: NorthEast United FC, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC, according to the AIFF.
License rejected: Sporting Club Delhi, Odisha FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, and Inter Kashi.
The clubs whose applications have been rejected have the right to either appeal the decision or request an exemption to participate in the national club competition, as per applicable licensing regulations, as per a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The Indian Club Licensing System is pivotal in maintaining the quality, professionalism, and infrastructure of football clubs in India.
It is an annual process wherein clubs acquire the necessary license to partake in AFC and National club competitions for each season. These licenses are categorised into 'Premier 1' for Indian Super League clubs and 'Premier 2' for Indian Football League clubs.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Mumbai City fan, I'm relieved we got through. But honestly, the system needs more transparency. Why were 7 of the biggest clubs rejected while some smaller ones got through? What exactly are the criteria? Fans deserve to know the detailed reasons behind these decisions.
This is good for Indian football in the long run. We can't have clubs that don't meet basic standards. Mohammedan Sporting and Inter Kashi are relatively new to the top tier, so maybe they need time. But Odisha FC and Chennaiyin have been around - what went wrong there? 🤔
As someone who follows ISL closely, I'm worried about the upcoming season. Half the league might not get licenses? That could mean some teams playing in lower divisions or being excluded. Imagine an ISL without Kerala Blasters or Mohun Bagan! The league would lose so much of its character. Hope the appeals process works fast.
The AIFF should have given more time for clubs to comply. These are not new clubs - they've been part of the system. Either the criteria changed suddenly or the clubs were caught napping. Either way, it's the fans who suffer. Let's hope all 14 teams get sorted before the season starts. The derbies without East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan would be unthinkable! 😤
Finally some accountability! Indian football has been suffering from half-baked infrastructure for years. If clubs want to play in AFC competitions, they need proper stadiums, youth academies, and financial stability. Kudos to Bengaluru FC and FC Goa for consistently meeting
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