Mohun Bagan Super Giant headline a worrying list of seven clubs whose applications for the AIFF Premier 1 license for the 2026-27 season have been rejected, throwing fresh uncertainty over the future of several Indian Super League sides. The decision, taken by the Club Licensing Committee – First Instance Body (CLC-FIB) of the AIFF, has now temporarily left multiple top-flight clubs ineligible to participate in national and AFC competitions unless the situation is resolved quickly.
While some clubs managed to secure licenses with sanctions, several major ISL names failed to get clearance from the AIFF.
The clubs granted licenses with sanctions were:
- NorthEast United FC
- East Bengal FC
- Jamshedpur FC
- Mumbai City FC
- Bengaluru FC
- FC Goa
- Punjab FC
Meanwhile, the clubs whose licenses were rejected are:
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant
- Kerala Blasters FC
- Odisha FC
- Chennaiyin FC
- Mohammedan Sporting Club
- Inter Kashi
- Sporting Club Delhi
Several ISL clubs are already dealing with broader uncertainty around the league’s commercial future, ownership concerns, sponsorship pressures and operational planning for next season. The licensing blow now adds another administrative headache right in the middle of that chaos.
But unless those issues are resolved quickly, Indian football could soon be staring at another off-field mess just months before the new season begins.
WHAT DOES AIFF CLUB LICENSE REJECTION MEAN?
The AIFF’s Indian Club Licensing System is not just paperwork.
It is essentially the league’s quality-control system designed to ensure clubs meet mandatory standards involving finances, infrastructure, youth development, administration and sporting operations before participating in professional competitions.
Every season, clubs must secure licenses to participate in ISL, I-League and AFC tournaments.
So when a license gets rejected, it effectively means the club has failed to satisfy one or multiple mandatory criteria laid down by AIFF and AFC regulations.
Technically, that currently makes these clubs ineligible to participate in ISL and continental competitions for the 2026-27 season.
But importantly, this is not an immediate expulsion.
The clubs still have pathways available to avoid a complete disaster.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR MOHUN BAGAN AND THE OTHER CLUBS?
Despite the rejection, this is not the end of the road yet for the seven clubs. AIFF regulations still leave a few escape routes open before the 2026-27 season officially begins.
Here is what the rejected clubs can now do:
- File an appeal against the Club Licensing Committee’s decision
- Submit additional documents or clarifications to address compliance gaps
- Request a special exemption to participate in national competitions
- Attempt to resolve infrastructure, financial or administrative issues within the permitted timeline
- Remain temporarily ineligible for ISL and AFC competitions until clearance is granted
For Mohun Bagan specifically, the rejection carries even more weight because of the club’s recent AFC troubles following their refusal to travel to Iran for an ACL 2 fixture last year, which had already resulted in a heavy fine and a two-season continental ban.
And for clubs like Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC, the announcement will only deepen supporter concerns over where Indian club football is currently heading off the pitch.
– Ends
