ISL Teams Unite for Super Cup: ACL 2 Play-off Berth Up for Grabs

All the Indian Super League clubs except for Odisha FC have agreed to take part in the season-opening Super Cup football tournament, starting next month, according to an official of the national federation.

The Super Cup, which normally happens at the end of the season, will be held at the start this time so as to give the clubs enough matches in the wake of a delayed ISL season. The ISL has been put on hold by the organisers FSDL but is likely to start in December.

"Except Odisha FC, all the other 12 clubs of the ISL have agreed to take part in the Super Cup. We have asked them again to confirm in another couple of days. After that we will finalise the tournament," an AIFF official told PTI on Friday on the condition of anonymity.

The 16-team tournament will also have at least three sides from the I-League. The number of I-League sides will increase if any ISL team pulls out.

The AIFF earlier this week decided to hold the Super Cup from October 25 to November 22 in a phased manner.

It is also learned that the AIFF has told the clubs that the winning team of the Super Cup will also be awarded the AFC Champions League 2 play-off spot for 2026-27 season.

But such a team will have to possess the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing Regulations relevant for the 2026-27 season.

FC Goa made it to the ACL 2 play-offs -- and subsequently in group stage -- this season as champions of Super Cup 2024-25. But, a few clubs have asked the AIFF to clear the air on the matter, and the national federation has done that.

The AIFF also said that if an Indian club participating in ACL 2 play-off is unable to secure qualification, it will automatically enter the group stage of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL), the third tier of the continent's club competition (one level below ACL 2).

This mechanism will ensure continued continental participation for Indian clubs, even in the event of ACL 2 play-off stage exit.