India, Jan. 2 -- It is 2026, and there has still been no official update regarding the delay of the 2025-26 ISL season. With the 2025-26 season yet to begin, it is certain that the clubs won't be able to play 24 matches to meet the eligibility requirements for the AFC Champions League. Also on Thursday, 13 of the 14 ISL clubs informed the AIFF that they would confirm their participation only if there was no participation fee, and the national body would also take financial responsibility for the organisational and operational costs of the 2025-26 season.

The clubs have also requested that AIFF urge AFC to grant them a one-time clearance for not meeting the 24-game eligibility rule. Now, in a joint statement, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sunil ...