New Delhi: Kalyan Chaubey has assured that the Indian Super League will return in a full fledged format next season after a turbulent yet dramatic 2025-26 campaign concluded with East Bengal FC lifting the title.
East Bengal secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Inter Kashi in the final at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, ending a 22 year wait for a national league title. Mohammed Rashid emerged as the match winner with a decisive second half strike after league top scorer Youssef Ezzejjari had cancelled out Alfred Planas’ early opener.
The victory saw East Bengal finish level on 26 points with arch rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant but claim the championship on superior goal difference. Chaubey praised the intense rivalry between the two Kolkata giants, calling it one of the biggest football rivalries in the world and stating that its continued presence is vital for both Bengal and Indian football.
The 2025-26 ISL season was heavily impacted by uncertainty surrounding the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited. Due to financial and governance issues, the tournament started five months late and teams played only 13 matches instead of the usual 24.
Despite the challenges, Chaubey said the successful completion of the season was a significant achievement for Indian football. He highlighted that the AIFF organised 21 tournaments and nearly 2,100 matches across competitions during the season, calling it an unprecedented effort.
The future structure of the ISL, however, still remains under discussion as several clubs continue pushing for a club led commercial and operational model. The uncertainty has reportedly affected player contracts and planning across franchises.
Chaubey acknowledged the difficult circumstances but maintained that Indian football is moving forward. He said the competitive nature of the shortened season, with five teams remaining in title contention until the final round, demonstrated the growing strength and excitement of the league despite the challenges faced this year.
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