In a pivotal meeting held virtually on February 12, 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee (ExCo) addressed several critical issues facing Indian football just days before the scheduled kickoff of the 2025–26 domestic season. The meeting, which achieved a full quorum after a previous attempt on February 9 failed due to insufficient attendance, resulted in major decisions regarding the structure of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the future of the I-League. A series of key matters like Churchill Brothers's interest in joining the ISL this season, Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru relegation decision, the new name and format for the I-League and the approval of the charters for the top flight league were the agenda of the meeting.
Rejection of Churchill Brothers’ ISL Entry
One of the most contentious topics in the ExCo meeting was Churchill Brothers' late interest to play in the ISL from the 2025-26 season itself having lost their chance of entering the league by merit after Inter Kashi was declared I-League winners after winning their case at CAS. The Uttar Pradesh club gained promotion to the top-flight instead with the Goanese club stripped of the title after initially declared winners by AIFF. Despite intense lobbying, their stance was unanimously rejected by the federation as they maintained the CAS decision to include Inter Kashi in ISL as rightful winners of the second division. The 14 clubs of the top-flight league were already not in favour of a late inclusion of the Red Machines to the league player in a truncated format. A view echoed by the committee as they agreed that adding a team at this late stage would disrupt the sporting integrity and the fixture calendar.
Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru FC relegation
Other than the title fiasco in the I-league last season, there was drama at the bottom of the table. Despite getting relegated, both Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru FC refused to acknowledge their demotion to the third division and appealed to the disciplinary committee to remain in the league. Delhi FC argued that since there is no relegation in the ISL, an exemption should also be given in the I-league while SC Bengaluru FC said that going into the third tier at a time when they have secured 'serious' international prospects will erode investor confidence and undermine the progress that could be done. However, both club's appeal was rejected with the disciplinary committee upheld their decision to relegate them to I-League 2, the third division.
I-League name change and new format
Alongside individual club issues, the decision to revamp the I-League with a new name 'Indian Football League' was also approved. The second division will also function in a new governance charter with the participating clubs having the majority of ownership for the first time in the competition's history, aiming for a long term stability that was lacking in the I-League and also in its predecessor National Football League (NFL). The clubs will hold a 60% stake with AIFF and commercial partners holding the remainder. Due to the shortened 2025-26 season, the league will play in a single home and away format just like ISL but two more rounds will be played to decide the winners and the teams suffering relegation. The top six teams from the first round will enter a championship round to decide the league winners and promotion to the ISL. The remaining teams will enter the relegation round to fight for survival in a centralised venue. These rounds will also have single round-robin format games. The points from the initial round will also carry forward to ensure fairness and maintain competitiveness.
ISL governance charter approval
The AIFF Executive Committee approved a comprehensive Indian Super League (ISL) Governance Charter on February 12, 2026, aimed at modernising league operations through a tiered committee structure. The charter establishes a new governance pyramid where the All India Football Federation or the AIFF maintains ultimate authority, supported by two primary bodies, the Governing Council and the Management Committee. 14 club representatives, one from each team, three from the commercial rights partner and five from the AIFF including the President and the Vice President as Chairperson will form the council where decisions will be made through simple majority. The federation also softened on its stance of having the veto over the requirement of affirmative votes on commercial aspects of things after it was flagged by the clubs. However, AIFF retains full power over regulatory matters.
