AIFF denies Premier 1 licence to Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters for 2026-27
Synopsis
Seven of India's biggest football clubs — including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters FC, and Odisha FC — have been denied Premier 1 licences by the AIFF for 2026-27, putting their ISL and AFC participation at risk. The scale of rejections in a single cycle exposes deep compliance gaps at the top of Indian club football.
Key Takeaways
The AIFF's CLC-FIB met on 17 May and rejected Premier 1 Club Licence applications for the 2026-27 season .
Rejected clubs: Mohun Bagan Super Giant , Kerala Blasters FC , Odisha FC , Chennaiyin FC , Sporting Club Delhi , Mohammedan Sporting Club , and Inter Kashi .
NorthEast United FC , East Bengal FC , Jamshedpur FC , Mumbai City FC , Bengaluru FC , FC Goa , and Punjab FC received licences with sanctions .
Rejected clubs can appeal the decision or seek an exemption to participate in national competitions.
The licensing system governs eligibility for both domestic and AFC-sanctioned competitions.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has rejected the Premier 1 Club Licence applications of several top Indian football clubs — including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters FC, and Odisha FC — for the 2026-27 season, in a significant development for domestic football. The AIFF's Club Licensing Committee, First Instance Body (CLC-FIB), convened on 17 May to deliver the verdicts.
Clubs Whose Applications Were Rejected
The CLC-FIB announced licence rejections for seven clubs: Sporting Club Delhi, Odisha FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, and Inter Kashi. The federation clarified that these clubs are not without recourse — they may either appeal the decision or apply for an exemption to continue participating in national competitions under the applicable licensing regulations.
Clubs Granted Licences With Sanctions
Seven other clubs cleared the licensing process, though not without conditions. NorthEast United FC, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, and Punjab FC were all granted licences with sanctions, indicating that certain compliance criteria or conditions still require attention. The sanctions signal that passing the process does not guarantee full compliance across all evaluated parameters.
What the Licensing System Evaluates
The Indian Club Licensing System is an annual framework designed to raise standards of professionalism, infrastructure, administration, and sporting performance across Indian football. Clubs are assessed on five broad pillars: finance, legal compliance, infrastructure, personnel, and youth development. Licences are split into two tiers — Premier 1 for Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and Premier 2 for clubs in the Indian Football League structure.
Why This Matters for Indian Football
Eligibility under the licensing system determines not just domestic participation but also access to Asian Football Confederation (AFC)-sanctioned competitions. Clubs that fail to obtain a licence risk being barred from continental fixtures — a significant blow for clubs like Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which have been regular participants in AFC competitions. This comes amid a broader push by the AIFF to align Indian club football with international governance standards. Notably, the scale of rejections — seven clubs in a single cycle — underscores persistent structural gaps in how India's top clubs manage finances, infrastructure, and administrative compliance.
What Happens Next
The rejected clubs now face a two-track option: mount a formal appeal against the CLC-FIB's decision, or seek an exemption under AIFF regulations to remain eligible for the upcoming season. The outcome of these appeals will be closely watched, given the implications for the 2026-27 ISL season and any AFC club competition slots India may hold.
Point of View
Infrastructure, and youth development, and the fact that clubs of Mohun Bagan's and Kerala Blasters' stature have failed it suggests the problem runs deeper than paperwork. The 'licences with sanctions' handed to the other seven are only marginally better news; sanctions mean conditions unmet, not standards achieved. Indian football's ambitions on the AFC stage cannot be sustained if its marquee clubs cannot clear domestic governance benchmarks. The appeals process will be the real test of whether the AIFF enforces its own framework or quietly accommodates commercial interests.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which clubs were denied the AIFF Premier 1 licence for 2026-27?
The AIFF's CLC-FIB rejected Premier 1 licence applications from Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters FC, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Mohammedan Sporting Club, and Inter Kashi for the 2026-27 season. The decision was announced following the committee's meeting on 17 May.
What can the rejected clubs do now?
Rejected clubs have two options under AIFF regulations: they can formally appeal the CLC-FIB's decision, or they can apply for an exemption to remain eligible for national competitions. The AIFF has confirmed both avenues are available to the affected clubs.
Which clubs received licences, and what do the sanctions mean?
NorthEast United FC, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, and Punjab FC were granted Premier 1 licences with sanctions. Sanctions indicate that while these clubs passed the overall process, certain compliance conditions or criteria still need to be addressed.
What does the AIFF Premier 1 licence cover?
The Premier 1 licence is required for Indian Super League clubs and determines their eligibility for both domestic competitions and AFC-sanctioned continental tournaments. It is assessed annually across five criteria: finance, legal compliance, infrastructure, personnel, and youth development.
Why does the AIFF club licensing decision matter for AFC competitions?
The AIFF licensing framework is linked to Asian Football Confederation eligibility, meaning clubs without a valid licence risk exclusion from AFC club competitions. For clubs like Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which regularly compete in continental fixtures, a licence rejection carries significant sporting and financial consequences.
