Template:Infobox football league season
The 2025–26 Indian Football League, also known as the 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, which started on February 27, 2026.[1] Inter Kashi FC were the reigning champions, having won the 2024–25 I-League.
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.[2][3]
- On 15 February 2026, the AIFF announced that the rebranded 2025–26 Indian Football League season will feature a two-stage format. Stage 1 will see the 10 participating clubs compete in a single-leg home-and-away round-robin format. In Stage 2, the teams get divided into two groups. Those that finished in the top half in Stage 1 will advance to a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half will compete in a centralised relegation round. All points from Stage 1 will be carried forward to Stage 2. The league toppers at the end of Stage 2 will be crowned the Indian Football League champions and will be promoted to the 2026–27 Indian Super League.[4]
- On 8th April 2026, the AIFF informed all clubs that going forward all matches would be played in the evenings under lights to increase primetime viewership. Hence, floodlights would have to be mandatory in every stadium, failing which a fine of 9 lakhs would be imposed in each instance the club failed to comply.[5]
Club changes
The following clubs have changed division since the 2024–25 season:
| # | Club | Path |
|---|---|---|
| Entered IFL | ||
| 1 | Diamond Harbour | Promotion from I-League 2 Template:Rise |
| 2 | Chanmari | |
| Exited IFL | ||
| 1 | Inter Kashi | Promotion to ISL Template:Rise |
| 2 | Sporting Bengaluru | Relegation to 2025–26 I-League 2 Template:Fall |
| 3 | Delhi | |
| 4 | Churchill Brothers | Withdrew |
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 entered Indian Football League One in this season.[6]
Churchill Brothers withdrew from the tournament.[7]
Clubs
Template:Location map+ <section end="map" />
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Aizawl, Mizoram | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 20,000 |
| Chanmari | |||
| Dempo | Carambolim, Goa | JLN Stadium | 19,000 |
| Diamond Harbour | Diamond Harbour, West Bengal | Bankimanjali Stadium | 15,000 |
| Kalyani Stadium | 20,000 | ||
| Gokulam Kerala | Kozhikode, Kerala | Payyanad Stadium | 30,000 |
| Namdhari | Bhaini Sahib, Punjab | Namdhari Stadium | 1,000 |
| Rajasthan United | Jaipur, Rajasthan | VD Nagar Stadium | 3,000 |
| Real Kashmir | Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir | TRC Turf Ground | 10,000 |
| Shillong Lajong | Shillong, Meghalaya | SSA Stadium | 5,000 |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Hyderabad, Telangana | Deccan Arena | 1,500 |
Personnel and sponsorship
| Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Script error: No such module "flag". R Lalruatfela | Script error: No such module "flag". Vanlalhriatpuia | Vamos[8] | NECS Limited[9] |
| Chanmari | Script error: No such module "flag". Dipankur Sharma | Script error: No such module "flag". Zothanmawia | Six5Six | LESDE Mizoram |
| Diamond Harbour | Script error: No such module "flag". Kibu Vicuña | Script error: No such module "flag". Jobby Justin | Nautica | Birla Tyres |
| Dempo | Script error: No such module "flag". Samir Naik | Script error: No such module "flag". Ariston Costa | Shiv Naresh | Dempo |
| Gokulam Kerala | Script error: No such module "flag". Dimitris Dimitriou | Script error: No such module "flag". Nili | FLY HIGH | Sree Gokulam |
| Namdhari | Script error: No such module "flag". Harpreet Singh | Script error: No such module "flag". Jaskaranpreet Singh | SPS Hospitals[10] | Namdharis |
| Rajasthan United | Script error: No such module "flag". Vikas Rawat | Script error: No such module "flag". Bhabindra Malla Thakuri | King Sports | Vertak Group |
| Real Kashmir | Script error: No such module "flag". Ishfaq Ahmed | Script error: No such module "flag". Mohammad Inam | Hummel | Livpure |
| Shillong Lajong | Script error: No such module "flag". Birendra Thapa | Script error: No such module "flag". Kenstar Kharshong | King Sports | Meghalaya Tourism |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Script error: No such module "flag". Carlos Vaz Pinto | Script error: No such module "flag". 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 | Script error: No such module "flag". Renjith TA | End of interim spell | 6 June 2025 | Pre-season | Script error: No such module "flag". José Hevia | 6 June 2025[11] |
| Shillong Lajong | Script error: No such module "flag". José Hevia | Mutual consent | 5 June 2025 | Script error: No such module "flag". Birendra Thapa | 18 July 2025[12] | |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Script error: No such module "flag". Ishant Singh | End of interim spell | 11 November 2025 | Script error: No such module "flag". Carlos Vaz Pinto | 12 November 2025 | |
| Chanmari | Script error: No such module "flag". Dipankur Sharma | End of contract | 31 May 2025 | Script error: No such module "flag". Victor Lalbiakmawia | 20 February 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | Script error: No such module "flag". José Hevia | Mutual Consent | 10 January 2026 | Script error: No such module "flag". Derrick Pereira | 11 January 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | Script error: No such module "flag". Derrick Pereira | Re-appointed as technical director | 5 March 2026 | 9th | Script error: No such module "flag". Dimitris Dimitriou | 6 March 2026[13] |
| Chanmari | Script error: No such module "flag". Victor Lalbiakmawia | Sacked | 26 March 2026 | 7th | Script error: No such module "flag". Dipankur Sharma | 26 March 2026[14] |
Foreign players
Bold denotes the player was signed mid-season.
| Team | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Player 5 | Player 6 | Unregistered player(s) | Former player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Script error: No such module "flag". Higor Gomes | Script error: No such module "flag". Luis Rodriguez | Script error: No such module "flag". Timur Talipov | |||||
| Chanmari | Script error: No such module "flag". Joao Vitor Morais | Script error: No such module "flag". Pedro Lucas | Script error: No such module "flag". Marlon Rangel | Script error: No such module "flag". Emmanuel Badu | Script error: No such module "flag". Kyle Degelman | |||
| Diamond Harbour | Script error: No such module "flag". Sunday Afolabi | Script error: No such module "flag". Luka Majcen | Script error: No such module "flag". Mikel Kortazar | Script error: No such module "flag". Antonio Moyano | Script error: No such module "flag". Hugo Díaz | |||
| Dempo | Script error: No such module "flag". Damian Perez Roa | Script error: No such module "flag". Sebastián Gutiérrez | Script error: No such module "flag". José Luis Moreno | Script error: No such module "flag". Richmond Kwasi Owusu | Script error: No such module "flag". Aubin Kouakou | Script error: No such module "flag". Marcus Joseph | ||
| Gokulam Kerala | Script error: No such module "flag". Vítor Barata | Script error: No such module "flag". Aminou Bouba | Script error: No such module "flag". Armand Bazié | Script error: No such module "flag". Thabiso Brown | Script error: No such module "flag". Benjamin Kuku | Script error: No such module "flag". Mirjalol Kasimov | Script error: No such module "flag". Nili | Script error: No such module "flag". John Kennedy Script error: No such module "flag". Amid Arezou |
| Namdhari | Script error: No such module "flag". Francis Addo | Script error: No such module "flag". Lamine Moro | Script error: No such module "flag". Najib Fuseini | Script error: No such module "flag". Abdoulaye Diallo | Script error: No such module "flag". Milos Gordic | |||
| Rajasthan United | Script error: No such module "flag". Jonathan Fernandes | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna | Script error: No such module "flag". Abdul Samed Ango | Script error: No such module "flag". Isaac Nortey | Script error: No such module "flag". Gerard Artigas | Script error: No such module "flag". Jordan Lamela | Script error: No such module "flag". Cedric Gogoua Script error: No such module "flag". Pedro Astray | |
| Real Kashmir | Script error: No such module "flag". Marius Obekop | Script error: No such module "flag". Kamal Issah | Script error: No such module "flag". Mamoud Oshie | Script error: No such module "flag". Djakaridja Traore | Script error: No such module "flag". Habib Fofana | Script error: No such module "flag". Shedrack Charles | Script error: No such module "flag". Fandje Toure | |
| Shillong Lajong | ||||||||
| Sreenidi Deccan | Script error: No such module "flag". Paulo Cezar | Script error: No such module "flag". Fabrice Kah | Script error: No such module "flag". David Castañeda | Script error: No such module "flag". Roly Bonevacia | Script error: No such module "flag". Pape Gassama | Script error: No such module "flag". Hadi Idrissou |
First stage
League table
Script error: No such module "Sports table".
Fixtures and results
Script error: No such module "sports results". Template:Notelist
Results by games
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Promotion round
Script error: No such module "Sports table".
Fixtures and results
Script error: No such module "sports results". Template:Notelist
Results by games
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Relegation round
Points table
Script error: No such module "Sports table".
Fixtures and results
Template:Hatnote Script error: No such module "sports results". Template:Notelist
Results by games
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Season statistics
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna | Rajasthan United | 4 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Marcus Joseph | Dempo | ||
| 3 | Script error: No such module "flag". Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong | 3 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Antonio Moyano | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Fabrice Kah | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Halicharan Narzary | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 18 | Script error: No such module "flag". Zomuansanga | Aizawl FC | 3 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Shedrack Charles | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Lalhriatpuia | Aizawl | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Luka Majcen | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Manvir Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Laldawngzuala | Aizawl | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Hadi Idrissou | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Everbrightson Mylliempdah | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Seilenthang Lotjem | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Thabiso Brown | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Rahul Raju | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Hugo Díaz | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 21 | Script error: No such module "flag". K Vanlalhriatzuala | Aizawl | 1 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Abdoulaye Diallo | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Abhishek Ambekar | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Mohammad Inam | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Aubin Kouakou | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Paulo Cezar | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Lalruatsanga | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Seijoseph Haokip | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Kenstar Kharshong | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Suanngaihmuana | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". KC Malsawmsanga | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Sebastián Gutiérrez | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Najib Fuseini | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Ahteeb Ahmad Dar | Real Kashnir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". P Christopher Kamei | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Moses Lalrinzuala | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Mirjalol Kasimov | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Malsawmsanga Renthlei | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". R Lalbiakliana | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Richmond Kwasi Owusu | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jonathan Fernandes | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Tharpuia | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Treimiki Lamurong | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Trijoy Savio Dias | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Malsawmzuala Tlangte | Aizawl | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Pangambam Naoba Meitei | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Bidyashagar Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Djakaridja Junior Traoré | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Sunday Afolabi | Diamond Harbour |
Hat-tricks
Top assists
| Rank | Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Script error: No such module "flag". H Lalrempuia | Aizawl | 3 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Bryce Miranda | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 3 | Script error: No such module "flag". Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl | 2 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Sebastian Gutierrez | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Shedrack Charles | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Laltlanzova | Aizawl | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Thabiso Brown | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Antonio Moyano | Diamond Harbour | ||
| 10 | Script error: No such module "flag". Laldawngzuala | Aizawl | 1 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Seijoseph Haokip | Real Kashmir | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Abdoulaye Diallo | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Hardik Bhatt | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Aron Vanlalrinchhana | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Hugo Diaz | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". P Christopher Kamei | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Marcus Joseph | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Balkaran Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jaskaranpreet Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". David Castaneda | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jobby Justin | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jordan Lamela | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Karan Kumar Sharma | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Paulo Cezar | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Joel Lalramengmawia | Chanmari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Manbir Singh | Namdhari | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jagdeep Singh | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Lalromawia | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Knerkitalang Buam | Dempo | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Damaitphang Lyngdoh | Shillong Lajong | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Trijoy Savio Dias | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Rahul Raju | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Moses Lalrinzuala | Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Jonathan Fernandes | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Gautam Virwani | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Basit Ahmed Bhat | Real Kashmir |
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Script error: No such module "flag". Shibinraj Kunniyil | Gokulam Kerala | 2 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Bhabindra Malla Thakuri | Rajasthan United | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Kamaljit Singh | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Siwel Rymbai | Shillong Lajong | ||
| 5 | Script error: No such module "flag". Zothanmawia | Chanmari | 1 |
| Script error: No such module "flag". Bhaskar Roy | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Aryan Niraj LambaTemplate:Refn | Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Dheeraj Singh | Diamond Harbour | ||
| Script error: No such module "flag". Niraj Kumar | Namdhari |
Attendance
Overall
Awards
| Player of the match | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match no. | Player | Team | Match no. | Player | Team | Match no. | Player | Team |
| 1 | Script error: No such module "flag". Nishan Singh | Namdhari | 2 | Script error: No such module "flag". Zothanmawia | Chanmari | 3 | Script error: No such module "flag". Fabrice Kah | Sreenidi Deccan |
| 4 | Script error: No such module "flag". Sebastian Guiterrez | Dempo | 5 | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna | Rajasthan United | 6 | Script error: No such module "flag". Vincent Lalduhawma | Aizawl |
| 7 | Script error: No such module "flag". Niraj Kumar | Namdhari | 8 | Script error: No such module "flag". Joao Vitor Morais | Chanmari | 9 | Script error: No such module "flag". Hugo Díaz | Diamond Harbour |
| 10 | Script error: No such module "flag". Phrangki Buam | Shillong Lajong | 11 | Script error: No such module "flag". Marcus Joseph | Dempo | 12 | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna (2) | Rajasthan United |
| 13 | Script error: No such module "flag". Ahteeb Ahmad Dar | Real Kashmir | 14 | Script error: No such module "flag". Hardik Bhatt | Sreenidi Deccan | 15 | Script error: No such module "flag". Siwel Rymbai | Shillong Lajong |
| 16 | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna (3) | Rajasthan United | 17 | Script error: No such module "flag". Phrangki Buam (2) | Shillong Lajong | 18 | Script error: No such module "flag". Hadi Idrissou | Sreenidi Deccan |
| 19 | Script error: No such module "flag". Shibinraj Kunniyil | Gokulam Kerala | 20 | Script error: No such module "flag". Antonio Moyano | Diamond Harbour | 21 | Script error: No such module "flag". Laldawngzuala | Aizawl |
| 22 | Script error: No such module "flag". Niraj Kumar (2) | Namdhari | 23 | Script error: No such module "flag". Hadi Idrissou (2) | Sreenidi Deccan | 24 | Script error: No such module "flag". Abhishek Ambekar | Rajasthan United |
| 25 | Script error: No such module "flag". Treimiki Lamurong | Shillong Lajong | 26 | Script error: No such module "flag". Rahul Raju | Gokulam Kerala | 27 | Script error: No such module "flag". Amadou Soukouna (4) | Rajasthan United |
| 28 | Script error: No such module "flag". Kamaljit Singh | Sreenidi Deccan | 29 | Script error: No such module "flag". Hugo Díaz (2) | Diamond Harbour | 30 | Script error: No such module "flag". Bidyashagar Singh | Namdhari |
See also
- Men
- 2025–26 Indian Super League (Tier I)
- 2025–26 I-League 2 (Tier III)
- 2025–26 I-League 3 (Tier IV)
- 2025–26 Indian State Leagues (Tier V)
- 2025–26 AIFF Super Cup
- 2025 Durand Cup
- 2026 Reliance Foundation Development League
- Women
References
- ↑ 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(15 December 2025). Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ No kickoff in sight as Indian football battles an uncertain future: 'It is not about ISL. There is no I-League'. Firstpost(17 December 2025). Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Indian Football League to begin on February 27. All India Football Federation(15 February 2026). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Rajasthan United scout new home as AIFF mandates IFL matches under lights. News9live(8 April 2026).
- ↑
- 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). Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ↑ Unveiling our 40th Anniversary Edition Home Jersey for the 2024/2025 season. 🔴⚪️. X (Twitter)(23 June 2024). Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ↑ I-league Commercial Guide: A Complete List of the 2023/24 I-League Team Sponsors. sportskhabri.com. Sports Khabri(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).
- ↑ [ ](2026-03-07).
Template:I-League Template:Indian football league seasons Template:2025–26 in Indian football