AIFF Secures AFC Recognition for Truncated ISL, But No Direct ACL2 Slots

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has recognized the shortened 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season.
• Indian clubs will not receive direct slots to the AFC Champions League 2; instead, winners will get indirect slots via zonal qualifiers.
• The truncated season, starting February 14, 2026, means clubs cannot play the mandatory 24 matches required for direct ACL2 eligibility, with most playing only 16 games.
• The AFC confirmed that Member Associations failing to meet eligibility criteria will only receive indirect slots, converting direct slots into indirect ones.
• AIFF had requested a one-time exemption from the AFC for the 24-match requirement due to exceptional circumstances impacting Indian football.

Why It Matters: AIFF gets AFC nod for shortened ISL, but Indian clubs miss direct ACL2 entry due to fewer matches.