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All Indian Super League clubs except Odisha FC will join the Super Cup from October 25, with the winner earning an AFC Champions League 2 play-off spot for the 2026-27 season.
ISL representative image.
All Indian Super League clubs, except Odisha FC, have agreed to participate in the season-opening Super Cup football tournament starting next month, according to a national federation official.
Typically held at the end of the season, the Super Cup will be hosted at the start this time to ensure clubs have sufficient matches due to the delayed ISL season. The ISL, put on hold by organisers FSDL, is expected to commence in December.
“Except Odisha FC, all other 12 ISL clubs have agreed to take part in the Super Cup. We have asked them again to confirm within a couple of days. After that, we will finalise the tournament,” an AIFF official told PTI on Friday, preferring to remain anonymous.
The 16-team tournament will include at least three sides from the I-League, with the number increasing if any ISL team withdraws.
Earlier this week, the AIFF decided to hold the Super Cup from October 25 to November 22 in phases.
Additionally, the AIFF informed the clubs that the winning team of the Super Cup would be awarded the AFC Champions League 2 play-off spot for the 2026-27 season. However, the team must have the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing Regulations relevant to the 2026-27 season.
FC Goa secured a spot in the ACL 2 play-offs and subsequently in the group stage this season as champions of the Super Cup 2024-25. Nonetheless, some clubs have requested clarity from the AIFF on this matter, which the national federation has provided.
The AIFF also stated that if an Indian club in the ACL 2 play-off fails to qualify, it will automatically enter the group stage of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL), the third tier of the continent’s club competition, one level below ACL 2.
This mechanism ensures that Indian clubs continue to participate at the continental level, even if they exit the ACL 2 play-off stage.
September 12, 2025, 23:19 IST
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