The I-League has been officially renamed the Indian Football League, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday, marking another structural shift in the country’s domestic football landscape.
The decision was approved during an online meeting of the AIFF Executive Committee and will be effective from the 2025-26 season.
“The All India Football Federation Executive Committee on Thursday approved the renaming of the I-League as the Indian Football League from the 2025-26 season in an online meeting,” the AIFF said in a post on its official X account.
“The committee further ratified the charter of the Board of Governors of the Indian Super League and the Indian Football League,” the federation added.
The move follows discussions held last month between AIFF officials and club representatives where the proposal was first approved.
CHANGE OF IDENTITY
India’s top domestic competition was originally known as the National Football League (NFL) from 1996 to 2007 before being renamed the I-League. However, the launch of the Indian Super League in 2014 reshaped the domestic hierarchy and pushed the I-League into the second tier.
The upcoming season — now under its new name — will be shortened, starting on February 21. Ten teams have already confirmed their participation: Diamond Harbour, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala, Rajasthan United, Dempo SC, Namdhari FC, Shillong Lajong, Sreenidi Deccan, Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC.
CHURCHILL BROTHERS’ PLEA DENIED
Meanwhile, the AIFF executive committee is understood to have rejected Churchill Brothers’ request for inclusion in the 2025-26 ISL season.
The Goan club was initially declared the champions of last season’s I-League and promoted to the ISL. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later ruled that Inter Kashi were the rightful champions.
The Varanasi-based club was subsequently promoted to the ISL. Churchill Brothers challenged the AIFF’s decision in the Delhi High Court, where the matter is still pending.
The ISL, which continues to function as India’s top competition, is set to begin on February 14, a week before the launch of the newly rebranded Indian Football League.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 13, 2026