ISL season 2026-27 is likely to start on September 4; Durand Cup tentatively scheduled for July 25

The new season of the Indian Super League is likely to start on September 4, while the Durand Cup is tentatively scheduled to start around July 25.

These were the two key issues discussed by the ISL clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on June 8 in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. During the meeting, which was attended by all ISL teams except Jamshedpur FC, it was decided that the sides will meet Genius Sports and discuss the commercial way forward for the league.

Diamond Harbour, the latest club to be promoted after winning the Indian Football League (IFL), was also present at the meeting and will complete the 14-team squad for the coming season. However, the club remains under scrutiny following allegations of illegal practices and if sanctions are imposed the competition will continue with just 13 teams.

The current situation in domestic men’s football looks much more optimistic than last season; this time in 2025, the lack of a long-term commercial partner had brought the competition to a standstill, causing it to be postponed by around eight months.

As a result, the shortened season between February and May consisted of single-leg matches.

“The meeting went well and the issue of OCI/PIOs was discussed at length,” said a source aware of the developments. Sports stars.

Sportstar can confirm that AIFF officials were in London during the Unity Cup where they contacted various player agencies and players of Indian origin to discuss the prospects of playing in India.

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«For such players, at least a season in India seems a viable route, and that is something that clubs will discuss implementing. At least one or two players of Indian origin could create a pool of 25 to 28 players, and the AIFF will also look to create its own list of a similar pool, so that such players can eventually play for India.»

The blueprint for the journey is Ryan Williams, the former Australia under-23 international, who played two seasons in the ISL for Bengaluru FC before getting an Indian passport.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was encouraging clubs to develop more Indian forwards and coaches. The Blue Tigers have scored just three goals from open play (non-set pieces and penalties) in the past 15 months, the last of which came from a Williams striker against Hong Kong in March this year.

Published on June 9, 2026