This is not just about missing out on glamour ties.
For a league that has spent years selling growth, visibility and ambition, that shift lands badly. Continental access is one of the clearest measures of status in Asian football, and India’s current slot says the league is losing ground.
The damage is not only about results on the pitch. AFC entry rules for 2026 require clubs from eligible associations to play at least 24 matches across league and cup, with the season running for a minimum of eight months in a home-and-away format. The most recent ISL season reportedly did not meet that bar, with clubs playing 13 matches in a truncated structure.
That matters because the lower-tier Challenge League has softer entry requirements, including a minimum of 12 matches and more flexible competition formats. In short, India’s current structure appears to fit the third tier better than the top two.
Results have hurt too. India’s member-association ranking is reported to have fallen from 10th to 15th, further weakening its hand when places were allocated.
There is still a short-term chance to soften the blow. East Bengal and FC Goa are due to enter the 2026-27 ACL 2 playoffs in July and August. Their performances will matter, but the bigger test lies at home: can Indian football rebuild a credible domestic calendar, improve standards, and give its clubs a realistic route back to Asia’s main stage?