India will not have a direct entry into the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) for the 2026-27 season, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday.
The decision came after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) failed to meet the minimum match criteria outlined in the AFC Club Competitions—Entry Regulations (2025 Edition).
In a letter dated January 12, AFC Deputy General Secretary Shin Man Gil informed AIFF that member associations failing to meet eligibility criteria would only be allocated indirect slots. As a result, India’s earlier allocation of one direct and one indirect slot has been converted entirely into indirect slots (0+3).
The 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season will be truncated, with each of the 14 teams playing 13 single-leg matches. Most clubs also played three matches in the Super Cup, taking the total to 16 matches. However, this falls short of the required 24 matches and the minimum eight-month season duration mandated by AFC.
FC Goa has already secured one indirect slot by winning the Super Cup against East Bengal. The remaining 12 clubs will compete for the other indirect slot through zonal qualifiers. Mohun Bagan Super Giant remains ineligible, having been banned by AFC for two seasons.
