The AIFF Special General Body Meeting approved key governance, competition, and regulatory reforms aimed at shaping the future of Indian football.
Kolkata, June 23: The All India Football Federation’s Special General Body Meeting, held virtually two days ago on June 20. From adopting a revised Constitution in line with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, to approving key governance reforms and discussing major changes to competition regulations, the meeting laid out a roadmap that could shape the future of Indian football both on and off the pitch.
Along with approving the revised Constitution, election reforms, and the domestic football calendar, the meeting also supported several proposals that could influence the future direction of Indian football.
Beyond administrative reforms, the meeting sparked discussion over proposed changes to player regulations and the future identity of Indian football, making it one of the most consequential AIFF gatherings in recent years.
Key Takeaways from the AIFF Special General Body Meeting:
- Revised AIFF Constitution approved in compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- AIFF Election Panel established to oversee elections of member associations.
- September 4, 2026, confirmed as the kick-off date for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season.
- Annual calendar for the 2026-27 season approved.
- Proposal to rename the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the Football Federation of Bharat (FFB).
- National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ to be played before all AIFF-sanctioned matches.
- Proposed competition reforms approved, including a maximum of three foreign players and one OCI player in the starting XI, along with a mandatory Indian striker on the field throughout the match.
- Amendments to the AIFF Disciplinary Code approved, including stronger anti-discrimination measures and stricter penalties for misconduct.
- Season dates and registration windows for 2027-28 approved for FIFA TMS compliance.
- AIFF academies and teams permitted to participate in higher age-group competitions.
- Tournament registration fee reduced from ₹25,000 to ₹15,000.
- CRS reforms approved, including DigiLocker integration, automatic deletion of unpaid profiles, and revised registration fee structures.
The AIFF Special General Body Meeting marked a significant step in shaping the future of Indian football. While the adoption of the revised Constitution and governance reforms brings the federation in line with the National Sports Governance Act, several proposed sporting and structural changes could have a lasting impact on the domestic game.
Whether all these measures translate into meaningful progress remains to be seen, but the decisions taken at the SGBM have undoubtedly set the direction for the next phase of Indian football.
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