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By Ishaan Kapoor — 6 August 2026 — 4 min read

Key decisions from the meeting

The All India Football Federation’s Executive Committee convened at the Football House in New Delhi on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Chaired by AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the meeting addressed several important matters concerning Indian football. Attendees included Treasurer Mr Kipa Ajay, Deputy Secretary General Mr M Satyanarayan, and other members such as Mr Lalnghinglova Hmar, Mr Menla Ethenpa, Mr Mohan Lal, Mr Neibou Sekhose, Mr Syed Husnain Naqvi, Mr Syed Imtiaz Hussain, Mr Deepak Sharma, Ms Valanka Alemao, Mr Vijay Bali, Ms Thongam Tababi Devi, Mr Shabbir Ali, Mr Bhaichung Bhutia, and Mr Climax Lawrence.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the confirmation of India’s participation in two upcoming international football events. These include a men’s international friendly match against Brazil, scheduled for October 3, 2026, in Kolkata, and the FIFA ASEAN Cup, which will take place in Indonesia from September 24 to October 3, 2026. The Executive Committee recognized the friendly against Brazil, a five-time FIFA World Cup champion, as a valuable opportunity for Indian players to gain experience against a top-tier footballing nation during the FIFA International Match Window.

To accommodate both commitments, the AIFF plans to field separate squads for the match against Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The federation will formally inform FIFA of India’s participation in both competitions. This decision highlights the federation’s intent to provide diverse international exposure to its players.

Preparations and appointments

The Executive Committee also reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season. This review followed the adoption of a new commercial model for the league, which is now club-led. Members received updates on the operational planning progress made by both the participating clubs and the federation. In a related development, Jamshedpur FC has been granted an extended deadline until August 12, 2026, to reconsider its decision regarding participation.

Further, the Executive Committee approved the appointment of Bibiano Fernandes as the head coach for the India U15 men’s national team, pending his acceptance. This appointment is for the inaugural edition of the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival, set to be held in Azerbaijan in October. Ranjit Bajaj was also approved as the team manager. The tournament regulations permit a contingent of 20 members, comprising six staff and 14 players.

However, a proposal from the Competition Committee for a revamped three-tier format for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy did not receive approval. The Executive Committee expressed concerns regarding competitive opportunities and player development under the proposed format. Consequently, the Competitions Committee has been asked to revise its proposal and resubmit it for future consideration. This means that no changes will be implemented for the format of the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy for the 2026-27 season.

Strategic and regulatory updates

The meeting also saw the approval of the AIFF’s budget for the period of June 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. This budget outlines the financial framework for the federation’s operations during this fiscal year.

Additionally, the AIFF Secretariat informed the Executive Committee about various notifications from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. These notifications pertain to the adoption of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and its associated rules. To ensure compliance with this new regulatory framework, Member Associations whose elections are due this year have been requested to fulfill the compliance requirements by October 20, 2026.

The match against Brazil is anticipated to be a significant event for Indian football. India captain Sandesh Jhingan expressed his excitement for the opportunity to play against a top-ranked opponent. Other players, such as Lallianzuala Chhangte and Akash Mishra, also shared their enthusiasm, highlighting the potential for inspiration and invaluable experience that such a high-profile game can offer to Indian football. Akash Mishra noted that a single game could inspire many people and demonstrate that Indian football is progressing. Lallianzuala Chhangte, who has over a decade of experience with the national team, mentioned growing up watching football superstars like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka, and Neymar, and considered the chance to play against Brazil truly special. The friendly match against Brazil is scheduled for October 3, 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Source: the-aiff.com