Indian football suffered another major setback as City Football Group (CFG) officially exited its stake in Mumbai City FC, leaving the founding owners to assume full control of the club.
The announcement comes at a time when the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) remains uncertain.
In its statement, Mumbai City FC confirmed that CFG had divested its shareholding following a comprehensive commercial review. Since 2019, CFG had played a pivotal role in the club’s success, helping Mumbai City secure two ISL League Winners’ Shields and two ISL Cup titles, while also strengthening football operations and contributing to the growth of the sport in India.
However, CFG explained that ongoing uncertainty around the ISL prompted its decision. The Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) expired on December 8, and the 2025–26 season has yet to begin.
Although AIFF floated a tender for a new commercial partner in September, no bidders came forward. Consequently, several clubs have shut down first-team operations, while players have publicly urged authorities to restart the league.
As a result, India now faces the alarming possibility of no top-flight men’s football for the first time in nearly three decades. Moreover, the country risks losing all representation in Asian competitions, since clubs must play at least 27 matches in a season to qualify.
Ultimately, CFG’s exit underscores the fragile state of Indian football, where administrative uncertainty and lack of commercial clarity threaten the very existence of the professional game.
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