AIFF announces Premier 1 club license list for 2025-26 season
The All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) announced the Premier 1 club licensing results for the 2025-26 season late on Thursday.
Punjab FC is the only club to have received a direct license without any sanctions.
Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 champion and League Shield winner Mohun Bagan Super Giant FC received a license with sanctions. Joining it in this category are Kolkata giant East Bengal, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC.
ALSO READ | ISL 2025-26: Punjab FC signs Jamshedpur FC full-back Muhammed Uvais on free transfer
ISL clubs Mohammedan Sporting, Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Kerala Blasters FC and Hyderabad FC failed to get the Premier 1 club license. Meanwhile, I League champion Churchill Brothers FC Goa, which was promoted to the ISL for next season, also did not get the license along with runner-up Inter Kashi.
AIFF Club Licensing Premier 1 results for the 2025-26 season have been announced. 🚨
Check out the link for more details 🔗https://t.co/hGIv31lS1F#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qzkD0OLJqs — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) May 15, 2025
This license allows clubs to participate in all AFC Club Competitions (subject to qualification) and the Indian Super League.
It means that the rejected clubs will have to re-apply, and failing to do so can result in their expulsion from the ISL next season.
'These clubs have not been granted the license due to multiple failures across A and B criteria,' the AIFF said in a statement.
'The clubs whose applications have been rejected have the right to either appeal the decision, or request an exemption to participate in the National Club Competitions, as per applicable licensing regulations,' it added.
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