2025–26 Indian Football League
IFL poster for 2025-26 season. | |
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 27 February – TBA[1] |
| Matches | 20 |
| Goals | 51 (2.55 per match) |
| Biggest away win | Diamond Harbour 0–1 Sreenidi Deccan (28 February 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Rajasthan United 3–2 Namdhari (13 March 2026) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 20 March 2026. | |
The 2025–26 Indian Football League, also known as Star Cement Indian Football League for sponsorship reasons, is the fourth season of the Indian Football League as the second tier of the Indian football league system and the first season after the rebrand, which starts on February 27, 2026.[2] Inter Kashi FC were the reigning champions, having won the 2024–25 I-League and promoted to the 2025–26 Indian Super League season.
Developments
After the Indian Super League received no bids for a sponsor, the I-League was left without a commercial partner too, putting the future of the league in doubt.[3][4]
On 6 January 2026, AIFF head Kalyan Chaubey confirmed that due to the shortened season, all 11 I-League clubs would participate in a single leg home-and-away format for a total of 55 matches.[5]
On 29 January 2026, the AIFF proposed that in addition to the single leg home-and-away format, an added feature of a championship round involving the top six teams and a relegation round with the four bottom-placed sides would be implemented. Points from the initial stage will be carried to the championship round, with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals. Teams in positions 3 to 6 will go through play-offs to advance to the last four stage. A minimum 80 matches (50 in top half) is expected to be played.[6]
The clubs also proposed a change of name from I-League to the Indian Football League.[7]
Team changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2024–25 season:
Entered IFLPromoted from I-League 2 |
Exited IFLPromoted to ISL Relegated to Indian Footbal League 2 Withdrawn teams
|
The AIFF appeal committee stayed relegation for Delhi and Sporting Bengaluru from the 2024–25 I-League season until it arrives at a final judgement. Later, CAS terminated SC Bengaluru's appeal over non-payment and both teams are set to enter Indian Football League One this season.[8]
Churchill Brothers withdrew from the tournament.[9]
Teams
Aizawl
Locations of the Indian Football League teams
| Team | State/UT | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Mizoram | Aizawl | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 20,000 |
| Chanmari | ||||
| Dempo | Goa | Mapusa | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 19,000 |
| Diamond Harbour | West Bengal | Diamond Harbour | Bankimanjali Stadium | 15,000 |
| Kalyani Stadium | 20,000 | |||
| Gokulam Kerala | Kerala | Kozhikode | Payyanad Stadium | 30,000 |
| Namdhari | Punjab | Bhaini Sahib | Namdhari Stadium | 1,000 |
| Rajasthan United | Rajasthan | Jaipur | Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium | 3,000 |
| Real Kashmir | Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar | TRC Turf Ground | 10,000 |
| Shillong Lajong | Meghalaya | Shillong | SSA Stadium | 5,000 |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Telangana | Hyderabad | Deccan Arena | 1,500 |
Personnel and sponsorship
| Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | R Lalruatfela | Vanlalhriatpuia | Vamos[10] | NECS Limited[11] |
| Chanmari | Victor Lalbiakmawia | Zothanmawia | Six5Six | LESDE Mizoram |
| Diamond Harbour | Kibu Vicuña | Jobby Justin | Nautica | Birla Tyres |
| Dempo | Samir Naik | Ariston Costa | Shiv Naresh | Dempo |
| Gokulam Kerala | Dimitris Dimitriou | Nili | FLY HIGH | Sree Gokulam |
| Namdhari | Harpreet Singh | Jaskaranpreet Singh | SPS Hospitals[12] | Namdharis |
| Rajasthan United | Vikas Rawat | Bhabindra Malla Thakuri | King Sports | Vertak Group |
| Real Kashmir | Ishfaq Ahmed | Mohammad Inam | Hummel | Livpure |
| Shillong Lajong | Birendra Thapa | Kenstar Kharshong | King Sports | Meghalaya Tourism |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Carlos Vaz Pinto | David Castañeda | Six5Six | Sreenidhi Sports |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gokulam Kerala | Renjith TA | End of interim spell | 6 June 2025 | Pre-season | José Hevia | 6 June 2025[13] |
| Shillong Lajong | José Hevia | Mutual consent | 5 June 2025 | Birendra Thapa | 18 July 2025[14] | |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Ishant Singh | End of interim spell | 11 November 2025 | Carlos Vaz Pinto | 12 November 2025 | |
| Chanmari | Dipankur Sharma | End of contract | 31 May 2025 | Victor Lalbiakmawia | 20 February 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | José Hevia | Mutual Consent | 10 Janury 2026 | Derrick Pereira | 11 Janury 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | Derrick Pereira | Re-appointed as technical director | 5 March 2026 | 9th | Dimitris Dimitriou | 6 March 2026[15] |
Foreign players
Bold denotes the player was signed mid-season.
| Team | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Former player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Higor Gomes | ||||||
| Chanmari | Joao Vitor Morais | Marlon Rangel | Emmanuel Badu | Kyle Degelman | |||
| Diamond Harbour | Sunday Afolabi | Luka Majcen | Mikel Kortazar | Antonio Moyano | Hugo Díaz | ||
| Dempo | Damian Perez Roa | Sebastián Gutiérrez | José Luis Moreno | Richmond Owusu | Aubin Kouakou | Marcus Joseph | |
| Gokulam Kerala | Amid Arezou | John Kennedy | Thabiso Brown | Nili | Mirjalol Kasimov | ||
| Namdhari | Francis Addo | Lamine Moro | Najib Fuseini | Abdoulaye Diallo | Milos Gordic | ||
| Rajasthan United | Jonathan Fernandes | Amadou Soukouna | Abdul Samed Ango | Gerard Artigas | Jordan Lamela | Pedro Astray | Cedric Gogoua |
| Real Kashmir | Marius Obekop | Kamal Issah | Mamoud Oshie | Djakaridja Traore | Habib Fofana | Shedrack Charles | Fandje Toure |
| Shillong Lajong | |||||||
| Sreenidi Deccan | Paulo Cezar | Fabrice Kah | David Castañeda | Roly Bonevacia | Pape Gassama | Hadi Idrissou |
First stage
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Harbour | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 | Promotion round |
| 2 | Shillong Lajong | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 | |
| 3 | Sreenidi Deccan | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 7 | |
| 4 | Rajasthan United | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | |
| 5 | Aizawl | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | |
| 6 | Chanmari | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| 7 | Gokulam Kerala | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | Relegation round |
| 8 | Namdhari | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 3 | |
| 9 | Real Kashmir | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 2 | |
| 10 | Dempo | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2026. Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Fixtures and results
Results by games
Positions by round
Promotion Round
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Promotion to ISL |
| 2 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First match(es) will be played: TBA. Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Relegation Round
This round to be played in a centralised venue.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | TBD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to IFL2 |
First match(es) will be played: TBA. Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Season statistics
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcus Joseph | Dempo | 3 |
| Amadou Soukouna | Rajasthan United | ||
| Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Antonio Moyano | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 5 | Pedro Astray | Rajasthan United | 2 |
| Shedrack Charles | Real Kashmir | ||
| Zomuansanga | Aizawl | ||
| Lalhriatpuia | Aizawl | ||
| Fabrice Kah | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Luka Majcen | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Manvir Singh | Namdhari | ||
| 12 | K Vanlalhriatzuala | Aizawl | 1 |
| Abdoulaye Diallo | Namdhari | ||
| Everbrightson Mylliempdah | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Abhishek Ambekar | Rajasthan United | ||
| Mohammad Inam | Real Kashmir | ||
| Aubin Kouakou | Dempo | ||
| Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl | ||
| Thabiso Brown | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Seilenthang Lotjem | Namdhari | ||
| Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari | ||
| Paulo Cezar | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Lalruatsanga | Chanmari | ||
| Hugo Díaz | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Seijoseph Haokip | Real Kashmir | ||
| Kenstar Kharshong | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Suanngaihmuana | Chanmari | ||
| KC Malsawmsanga | Chanmari | ||
| Sebastián Gutiérrez | Dempo | ||
| Najib Fuseini | Namdhari | ||
| Ahteeb Ahmad Dar | Real Kashnir | ||
| Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli | Shillong Lajong | ||
| P Christopher Kamei | Chanmari | ||
| Hadi Idrissou | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Moses Lalrinzuala | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Mirjalol Kasimov | Gokulam Kerala |
Hat-tricks
Top assists
| Rank | Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl | 2 |
| Sebastian Gutierrez | Dempo | ||
| Shedrack Charles | Real Kashmir | ||
| Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli | Shillong Lajong | ||
| H Lalrempuia | Aizawl | ||
| Bryce Miranda | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 7 | Laldawngzuala | Aizawl | 1 |
| Seijoseph Haokip | Real Kashmir | ||
| Abdoulaye Diallo | Namdhari | ||
| Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari | ||
| Hardik Bhatt | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Aron Vanlalrinchhana | Chanmari | ||
| Hugo Diaz | Diamond Harbour | ||
| P Christopher Kamei | Chanmari | ||
| Marcus Joseph | Dempo | ||
| Balkaran Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Jaskaranpreet Singh | Namdhari | ||
| David Castaneda | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Jobby Justin | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Jordan Lamela | Rajasthan United | ||
| Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Karan Kumar Sharma | Namdhari | ||
| Paulo Cezar | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Thabiso Brown | Gokulam Kerala |
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shibinraj Kunniyil | Gokulam Kerala | 2 |
| 2 | Zothanmawia | Chanmari | 1 |
| Bhaskar Roy | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Aryan Niraj Lamba[16] | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Kamaljit Singh | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Bhabindra Malla Thakuri | Rajasthan United | ||
| Dheeraj Singh | Diamond Harbour |
Attendance
Overall
Awards
| Player of the match | ||
|---|---|---|
| Match no. | Player | Team |
| 1 | Nishan Singh | Namdhari |
| 2 | Zothanmawia | Chanmari |
| 3 | Fabrice Kah | Sreenidi Deccan |
| 4 | Sebastian Guiterrez | Dempo |
| 5 | Amadou Soukouna | Rajasthan United |
| 6 | Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl |
| 7 | Niraj Kumar | Namdhari |
| 8 | Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari |
| 9 | Hugo Díaz | Diamond Harbour |
| 10 | Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong |
| 11 | Marcus Joseph | Dempo |
| 12 | Amadou Soukouna (2) | Rajasthan United |
| 13 | Ahteeb Ahmad Dar | Real Kashmir |
| 14 | Hardik Bhatt | Sreenidi Deccan |
| 15 | Siwel Rymbai | Shillong Lajong |
| 16 | Amadou Soukouna (3) | Rajasthan United |
| 17 | Phrangki Buam (2) | Shillong Lajong |
| 18 | Hadi Idrissou | Sreenidi Deccan |
| 19 | Shibinraj Kunniyil | Gokulam Kerala |
| 20 | Antonio Moyano | Diamond Harbour |
See also
- 2025–26 Indian Women's League
- 2025–26 Indian State Leagues
- 2026 Reliance Foundation Development League
References
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/ILeagueOfficial/photos/the-indian-football-league-2025-26-will-kick-off-on-february-27-more-details-bit/896922206054404/
- ^ "Indian Football League to begin on February 27". www.the-aiff.com. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Indian football crisis deepens as I-League finds no takers". The Times of India. 2025-12-15. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
- ^ "No kickoff in sight as Indian football battles an uncertain future: 'It is not about ISL. There is no I-League'". Firstpost. 2025-12-17. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
- ^ "ISL 2025-26 starting date announced, I-League to run parallel". Khel Now. 2026-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- ^ "Under new ownership model and name, AIFF eyes I-League start on Feb 21". www.news9live.com. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
- ^ "Indian Football League to begin on February 27". www.the-aiff.com. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^
- "AIFF appeal committee issues stay order on relegation in I-League". News9live. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- "I-League: AIFF Appeals Committee dismisses SC Bengaluru's protest against Namdhari FC". Khel Now. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
- "CAS set to terminate SC Bengaluru's I-League relegation appeal over non-payment". Khel Now. 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
- ^ "Churchill Bros left out of second-tier IFL". The Times of India. 2026-02-16. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
- ^ "Unveiling our 40th Anniversary Edition Home Jersey for the 2024/2025 season. 🔴⚪️". X (Twitter). 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Unveiling our 40th Anniversary Edition Home Jersey for the 2024/2025 season. 🔴⚪️". X (Twitter). 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Saha, Rahul (3 November 2023). "I-league Commercial Guide: A Complete List of the 2023/24 I-League Team Sponsors". sportskhabri.com. Sports Khabri. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Gokulam appoint attack-minded Jose Hevia as head coach, aim instant ISL promotion". Onmanorama. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Lajong promote from within, name Birendra Thapa as new head coach". The Sports Room. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ^ "IFL 2025-26: Gokulam Kerala appoints Dimitris Dimitriou as head coach". 2026-03-07.
- ^ Substituted in for Bhaskar Roy