The report says the AFC is considering a competition for all 47 member associations, using existing international windows. That would address three familiar problems: the cost of arranging matches, a limited pool of suitable opponents and the uneven value of international friendlies.
The need is clear for India. The report says a 2-1 defeat by Qatar ended the team’s World Cup qualifying hopes, while India also missed the later stages of the 2027 Asian Cup pathway after finishing their final-round group with five points. Regular competitive fixtures would give the side a more consistent test between major campaigns.
The suggested format would reportedly feature 18 teams in each of the top two divisions and 11 in the third, with promotion and relegation connecting the tiers.
That structure could be particularly valuable for India’s younger players. Competitive matches carrying points and movement between divisions offer a sharper learning environment than isolated friendlies. Coaches would also have more opportunities to assess defensive partnerships, midfield combinations and attacking options under pressure.
The key will be the quality of India’s opponents. A schedule filled with similarly ranked teams should provide a clearer measure of progress than occasional fixtures against far stronger nations or low-intensity matches with limited consequences.
The proposed league could also become more than a standalone tournament. The report says future editions may be linked to World Cup and Asian Cup qualification, with higher-ranked teams receiving automatic places and others entering play-offs.
That would give every international window added importance while creating a clearer pathway for emerging football nations. For India, improvement would then be measured not only through performances but also through promotion, qualification and sustained results.
The next storyline is whether the AFC can secure agreement from its member associations and confirm the 2028-29 pilot. If approved, the competition could give India the regular, meaningful opposition their recent qualification record has shown they need.