The schedule for the Indian Super League (ISL) is expected to be out around mid-August. But the Indian Football fans must brace themselves for a exciting season ahead.
Football for Indian fans
Currently, the football in India is going through a revolution. Earlier when the football season in India would be ramped up in around 5-6 months. But now the season is hoping to go around at least 9-10 months which the fans were expecting.
Durand Cup and Super Cup
The season starts with the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup. The tournament will comprise of the teams of Indian Armed Forces, all the ISL teams, some I-league teams and two foreign teams. The tournament starts from August 3 and will be a month-long tournament. All the teams playing regard this as a pre-season tournament. Some teams send their main squad while some send their reserve squad.
Super Cup is set to be renamed as Federation Cup by bringing back its past glory in Indian Football. AIFF is yet to announce the format and the teams participating.
AFC tournaments
With the AFC Champions League draw to be held on August 24, Mumbai City FC hope to continue their dream run which they had last year. Mumbai City FC are the first team to win any game in the tournament.
While Odisha FC are in the group stages of the AFC Cup, MBSG will hope to qualify to the group stage by defeating their opponents in the playoffs. Odisha FC having signed Sergio Lobera as their main man, the Juggernauts can expect some silverware this season. Mohun Bagan too have spent the most in the summer window hoping to use the 6-foreigner rule in the AFC Cup.
Asian Games
After a huge campaign by the football fans on social media, the ministry have agreed to send the U-23 team for the Asian Games. Sunil Chhetri, Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu are three over-age players playing in the tournament. Indian Football fans should expect some good opponents in the knockout stages, if they go through the group stage.
AFC Asian Cup
India is drawn alongside Australia, Syria and Uzbekistan. The competition is to be played in January in Qatar. India is giving it 110% for the Asian Cup. They are playing series of tournaments for the preparation such as the Merdeka Cup and the King’s Cup.
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
India is clubbed alongside Qatar, Kuwait and the winners of Afg/Mong. India on their dream run of 11 unbeatable games is definitely hoping to qualify for Round 3.
Indian Super League
Indian fans can expect a fierce battle among the teams with some ISL-winning coaches returning back. Punjab FC gained promotion to the ISL after winning the I-League which makes the no. of teams in ISL at 12.
I-League started its promotion-relegation last season. Shillong Lajong and Delhi FC got promoted from I-League 2. AIFF also invited bids for franchisee teams in the league where 5 bidders are in the competition. Reports suggest, only 2 bidders win will the bid to participate taking the tally of teams to 13. The teams are Inter Kashi of UP and Namdhari FC from Punjab.
We can assure that this season will not only keep the players on their toes but also the fans.
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