Week of kickoff
Strap: A week where courts, clubs, and Blue Tigers aligned, sparking rare optimism for Indian football’s fractured future
Blurb:Four points from three games may not sound like a revolution, but it was enough to edge Tajikistan on head-to-head and book India a spot in the CAFA Nations Cup third-place playoff
Byline: Rakesh Ganesh
For far too long now, Indian football has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Whether it’s the national team stumbling through World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, uninspiring friendlies, or a revolving door of coaches from a Croat to a Spaniard, things have been tough.
Worse, the struggles weren’t confined only to the pitch. The country’s top-tier league, still failing to unearth a reliable striker was stuck in courtroom wrangles before even kicking off. Chaos seemed endless. And yet, in just the past week, the gloom has lifted ever so slightly. For once, there’s a glimmer of hope. Could this be the start of something real for Indian football? Let’s dig deeper.
Club chaos & redemption
There was uncertainty everywhere. In club football, things were looking grim in Indian Super League (ISL) and Super League as well. Clubs didn’t know whether to keep their squads intact or release them, and the anxiety reached the boardrooms of giants like Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC, who had already stopped paying staff. The very future of the season hung not on the pitch but in the courtroom.
And then came a decisive whistle from the Supreme Court. Last Monday, Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi delivered a landmark directive, ordering the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to ensure the timely start of the 2025–26 season. The order covered everything from the Super Cup to the ISL, effectively breaking the governance deadlock that had left Indian football paralysed.
The court’s endorsement of a joint proposal between AIFF and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) was described as “compelling and necessary,” a strong signal that the days of limbo may finally be over. The Bench went even further, calling the collaboration “a significant step in the evolution of Indian football,” one that could reshape how domestic, national, and international events are organised in the country.
The roadmap is now set – the season will open with the Super Cup after a pre-season camp, followed by the Indian Super League in December 2025. In another striking move, the court directed AIFF to invite bids through an “open, competitive and transparent” process for selecting the ISL’s commercial partner, a move so fair-minded that even FSDL, the current rights holder, has agreed to issue a no-objection certificate.
War on two fronts
This week, Indian football fans found themselves locked in a battle on not one, but two fronts. On one side, the senior men’s national team under newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil took the field at the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations Cup. On the other, the U-23 boys were chasing history in their bid to qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Let’s start with the youngsters.
Midweek, the U-23 side stunned Bahrain with a 2-0 win, an upset against a higher-ranked opponent and a welcome tonic after back-to-back defeats to Iraq behind closed doors just days earlier. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that electrified the fans, it was the manner of victory. India dominated possession, attacked with intent, and scored with conviction.
This wasn’t a side scraping through; it was a team playing fearless football. Still, the road ahead is far from smooth. Forty-four teams are spread across 11 groups, all vying for just 15 qualification spots. Saudi Arabia, as hosts, are already through. The math is ruthless: only the group winners and four best runners-up will book their ticket to the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. India, drawn in Group H, now face an uphill battle against hosts Qatar before rounding off against Brunei Darussalam.
Meanwhile, the senior team under Khalid Jamil is carving its own path on foreign soil. India took up Malaysia’s vacant spot at the CAFA Nations Cup, a bold move into largely uncharted territory. Drawn against Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, the challenge was immense, but the reward enticing: ranking points, exposure, and a chance to toughen up before the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers.
And right from matchday one, Jamil’s men showed steel. Against hosts Tajikistan, India struck early, Anwar Ali in the 5th minute, Sandesh Jhingan in the 13th before digging in for a long, tense defensive stand. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu turned hero with a string of spectacular saves, including a penalty stop, as India clung on to a 2-1 victory over the 106th-ranked home side. World No. 133 India had not only silenced the Dushanbe crowd but also delivered a dream debut for Jamil. His fingerprints were clear: discipline, grit, and tactical balance. For a nation starved of big wins, this was a statement.
Then came the real test, Iran. On paper, it looked like a mismatch, but on the pitch, India made the reigning champions sweat for every inch. For over an hour, a gritty Blue Tigers backline frustrated Iran, forcing them into desperate searches for a breakthrough. But class and muscle eventually told. Once the first goal slipped through, India tried to respond with a few promising forays forward, yet the physical gulf grew more glaring as the clock ticked. Two late strikes in the final minutes sealed a 0-3 defeat, the scoreline harsher than the fight India had put up.
Revenge was next on the agenda, Afghanistan, the team that had stunned India in Kolkata just last year. Fans hoped for fire, flair, and a stronger attacking display after two tough outings. But the performance didn’t match the roar. Afghanistan proved stubborn once again, and the game drifted into a stalemate. A goalless draw at the Hisor Central Stadium left Indian fans with familiar questions echoing in their minds: where will the goals come from? And who, if anyone, will step into Sunil Chhetri’s shoes?
Yet, there was light among the shadows. Four points from three games may not sound like a revolution, but it was enough to edge Tajikistan on head-to-head and book India a spot in the third-place playoff. More importantly, the campaign carried flashes of resilience, discipline, and tactical steel, qualities often missing in the past. For Indian football followers, it wasn’t just about results; it was about belief. And this past week, for once, belief felt possible again.