ISL 2026 Kick-Off Delayed, League To Feature 13 Teams

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season has been postponed and will start after October 6, instead of the initially scheduled September 4. The delay is due to the FIFA international match window, which runs from September 21 to October 6.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that the league will feature 13 participating clubs, playing in a double round-robin format on a home-and-away basis.

The top tier league will proceed without Diamond Harbour FC, the Indian Football League 2025-26 champions, as they failed to pay the second instalment of the participation fee, amounting to Rs 55 lakh, by the deadline.

According to a top official of the AIFF, the ISL is likely to start only in October after the FIFA window. The official also confirmed that the league will go ahead with 13 teams.

All the 14 clubs were required to pay the second instalment of the total Rs 1.1 crore participation fee to the AIFF by August 14 deadline, which was extended for Diamond Harbour till Wednesday.

Churchill Brothers paid the full Rs 1.1 crore fee to feature in the upcoming ISL after Jamshedpur Football Club sold its entire stake to the Goan side.

Jamshedpur FC had pulled out of the ISL and disbanded the first team on July 31, hours after the deadline for paying the first installment of participation fee amounting to Rs 55 lakh.

The AIFF also addressed concerns regarding its finances, condemning what it called 'unverified claims' concerning its use of funds.

The decision to host Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata was taken through the appropriate institutional processes, recognizing the exceptional opportunity it presents for Indian football, the national team, and millions of fans.

The match is expected to give a morale boost to the Indian national team while driving fans towards Indian football.

The ISL 2026-27 season is expected to be an exciting one, with 13 teams competing in a double round-robin format. The exact kick-off date for the ISL has not been announced yet, but it is expected to start after October 6.

The AIFF's decision to proceed with 13 teams has been made, and the league is expected to be a success, despite the initial setbacks.

The Indian football fans are eagerly waiting for the start of the ISL 2026-27 season, and the excitement is building up.

The league's success will depend on various factors, including the performance of the teams, the attendance, and the overall organization of the event.

The AIFF is working hard to ensure that the ISL 2026-27 season is a success, and the fans are expecting a thrilling season of football.

In conclusion, the ISL 2026-27 season has been postponed, and the league will feature 13 teams. The exact kick-off date has not been announced yet, but it is expected to start after October 6. The AIFF is working hard to ensure that the league is a success, and the fans are eagerly waiting for the start of the season.