Proper ISL next season assured: Another promise by AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey
After East Bengal's title win, Kalyan Chaubey said the ISL will return in full next season. His assurance comes after a delayed, shortened campaign left the league's future under scrutiny.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey assured that the Indian Super League will return in a proper full-fledged format next season after a chaotic and heavily truncated 2025-26 campaign finally came to an end with East Bengal’s dramatic title triumph.
Speaking to reporters after East Bengal ended their 22-year wait for a national league crown by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 on Thursday, Chaubey insisted that Indian football was moving forward despite the controversies and uncertainty surrounding the season.
“Of course we will see a full-fledged ISL next season,” Chaubey said after the final.
“I never said football would stop in India. This season we organised 21 tournaments and close to 2,100 matches. Never before in Indian football history have so many matches been played in a single season.”
“Yes, there were crises and some controversies too. Sometimes controversies are even created because they keep people interested. But I strongly believe Indian football is moving forward and will continue to progress this way,” he added.
Chaubey also hailed the return of East Bengal to the top of Indian football and highlighted the importance of the rivalry between the Kolkata giants.
“Whenever there is competition, it is always healthy for football. The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is among the biggest rivalries in world football.”
“East Bengal had been lagging behind over the last few years, but the way they have come back this season will immensely benefit Bengal football. As long as the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal rivalry stays alive, Bengal football and Indian football will stay alive,” he said.
CHAOTIC ISL SEASON FINALLY COMES TO AN END
The 2025-26 ISL season had been marred by uncertainty almost from the very beginning after the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and FSDL triggered a major governance and financial deadlock.
The league, which usually starts in September or October, only began in February 2026 after nearly seven months of uncertainty.
Because of the delay, the season had to be heavily shortened, with clubs playing only 13 matches instead of the usual 24-game format.
Several clubs reportedly halted operations temporarily during the uncertainty, while concerns over salaries, contracts and the future structure of the league continued throughout the season.
The administrative mess also led to criticism from multiple figures within Indian football.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia publicly accused Chaubey’s administration of damaging Indian football governance, while former AIFF legal advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee alleged irregularities in tender processes and administrative functioning.
Despite the chaos, the ISL season still produced one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
Five teams remained mathematically alive heading into the final day, with East Bengal eventually edging Mohun Bagan on goal difference after both Kolkata clubs finished level on 26 points.
ISL’S FUTURE STILL REMAINS UNCERTAIN
Even after the conclusion of the season, uncertainty around the ISL’s long-term structure still remains.
Several clubs are believed to be pushing for a club-led operational and commercial model, while negotiations regarding broadcasting and commercial rights are still ongoing.
The instability has already started affecting planning for next season, with multiple clubs delaying player renewals and contract discussions.
Even East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon had earlier admitted that he may not continue at the club if clarity regarding the future of the ISL does not emerge soon.
Chaubey, however, insisted that successfully completing the season itself was a major achievement given the circumstances surrounding Indian football.
“Anyone who follows Indian football knows the sport came to a standstill for seven months after the expiry of the 15-year agreement between AIFF and FSDL.”
“At one stage, it even looked like the league would not happen. So as an organiser, I feel satisfied that AIFF managed to bring everybody together and successfully conduct the tournament,” he said.
For now, Indian football moves into another uncertain off-season. But after a year dominated by legal battles, administrative chaos and existential fears around the ISL itself, the AIFF will now hope that East Bengal’s emotional title triumph can act as the beginning of a more stable future rather than just a brief distraction from deeper problems. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey assured that the Indian Super League will return in a proper full-fledged format next season after a chaotic and heavily truncated 2025-26 campaign finally came to an end with East Bengal’s dramatic title triumph.
Speaking to reporters after East Bengal ended their 22-year wait for a national league crown by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 on Thursday, Chaubey insisted that Indian football was moving forward despite the controversies and uncertainty surrounding the season.
“Of course we will see a full-fledged ISL next season,” Chaubey said after the final.
“I never said football would stop in India. This season we organised 21 tournaments and close to 2,100 matches. Never before in Indian football history have so many matches been played in a single season.”
“Yes, there were crises and some controversies too. Sometimes controversies are even created because they keep people interested. But I strongly believe Indian football is moving forward and will continue to progress this way,” he added.
Chaubey also hailed the return of East Bengal to the top of Indian football and highlighted the importance of the rivalry between the Kolkata giants.
“Whenever there is competition, it is always healthy for football. The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is among the biggest rivalries in world football.”
“East Bengal had been lagging behind over the last few years, but the way they have come back this season will immensely benefit Bengal football. As long as the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal rivalry stays alive, Bengal football and Indian football will stay alive,” he said.
For now, Indian football moves into another uncertain off-season. But after a year dominated by legal battles, administrative chaos and existential fears around the ISL itself, the AIFF will now hope that East Bengal’s emotional title triumph can act as the beginning of a more stable future rather than just a brief distraction from deeper problems.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey assured that the Indian Super League will return in a proper full-fledged format next season after a chaotic and heavily truncated 2025-26 campaign finally came to an end with East Bengal’s dramatic title triumph.
Speaking to reporters after East Bengal ended their 22-year wait for a national league crown by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 on Thursday, Chaubey insisted that Indian football was moving forward despite the controversies and uncertainty surrounding the season.
“Of course we will see a full-fledged ISL next season,” Chaubey said after the final.
“I never said football would stop in India. This season we organised 21 tournaments and close to 2,100 matches. Never before in Indian football history have so many matches been played in a single season.”
“Yes, there were crises and some controversies too. Sometimes controversies are even created because they keep people interested. But I strongly believe Indian football is moving forward and will continue to progress this way,” he added.
Chaubey also hailed the return of East Bengal to the top of Indian football and highlighted the importance of the rivalry between the Kolkata giants.
“Whenever there is competition, it is always healthy for football. The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is among the biggest rivalries in world football.”
“East Bengal had been lagging behind over the last few years, but the way they have come back this season will immensely benefit Bengal football. As long as the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal rivalry stays alive, Bengal football and Indian football will stay alive,” he said.
CHAOTIC ISL SEASON FINALLY COMES TO AN END
The 2025-26 ISL season had been marred by uncertainty almost from the very beginning after the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and FSDL triggered a major governance and financial deadlock.
The league, which usually starts in September or October, only began in February 2026 after nearly seven months of uncertainty.
Because of the delay, the season had to be heavily shortened, with clubs playing only 13 matches instead of the usual 24-game format.
Several clubs reportedly halted operations temporarily during the uncertainty, while concerns over salaries, contracts and the future structure of the league continued throughout the season.
The administrative mess also led to criticism from multiple figures within Indian football.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia publicly accused Chaubey’s administration of damaging Indian football governance, while former AIFF legal advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee alleged irregularities in tender processes and administrative functioning.
Despite the chaos, the ISL season still produced one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
Five teams remained mathematically alive heading into the final day, with East Bengal eventually edging Mohun Bagan on goal difference after both Kolkata clubs finished level on 26 points.
ISL’S FUTURE STILL REMAINS UNCERTAIN
Even after the conclusion of the season, uncertainty around the ISL’s long-term structure still remains.
Several clubs are believed to be pushing for a club-led operational and commercial model, while negotiations regarding broadcasting and commercial rights are still ongoing.
The instability has already started affecting planning for next season, with multiple clubs delaying player renewals and contract discussions.
Even East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon had earlier admitted that he may not continue at the club if clarity regarding the future of the ISL does not emerge soon.
Chaubey, however, insisted that successfully completing the season itself was a major achievement given the circumstances surrounding Indian football.
“Anyone who follows Indian football knows the sport came to a standstill for seven months after the expiry of the 15-year agreement between AIFF and FSDL.”
“At one stage, it even looked like the league would not happen. So as an organiser, I feel satisfied that AIFF managed to bring everybody together and successfully conduct the tournament,” he said.
For now, Indian football moves into another uncertain off-season. But after a year dominated by legal battles, administrative chaos and existential fears around the ISL itself, the AIFF will now hope that East Bengal’s emotional title triumph can act as the beginning of a more stable future rather than just a brief distraction from deeper problems. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey assured that the Indian Super League will return in a proper full-fledged format next season after a chaotic and heavily truncated 2025-26 campaign finally came to an end with East Bengal’s dramatic title triumph.
Speaking to reporters after East Bengal ended their 22-year wait for a national league crown by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 on Thursday, Chaubey insisted that Indian football was moving forward despite the controversies and uncertainty surrounding the season.
“Of course we will see a full-fledged ISL next season,” Chaubey said after the final.
“I never said football would stop in India. This season we organised 21 tournaments and close to 2,100 matches. Never before in Indian football history have so many matches been played in a single season.”
“Yes, there were crises and some controversies too. Sometimes controversies are even created because they keep people interested. But I strongly believe Indian football is moving forward and will continue to progress this way,” he added.
Chaubey also hailed the return of East Bengal to the top of Indian football and highlighted the importance of the rivalry between the Kolkata giants.
“Whenever there is competition, it is always healthy for football. The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is among the biggest rivalries in world football.”
“East Bengal had been lagging behind over the last few years, but the way they have come back this season will immensely benefit Bengal football. As long as the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal rivalry stays alive, Bengal football and Indian football will stay alive,” he said.
For now, Indian football moves into another uncertain off-season. But after a year dominated by legal battles, administrative chaos and existential fears around the ISL itself, the AIFF will now hope that East Bengal’s emotional title triumph can act as the beginning of a more stable future rather than just a brief distraction from deeper problems.
