AIFF Makes OCI Players and Indian Striker Rule Optional Ahead of ISL 2026-27 Season

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has revised its stance on two of the most debated proposals ahead of the 2026-27 Indian football season, confirming that Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will not be required to sign Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players or ensure that an Indian striker remains on the pitch for the entire duration of a match.

The clarification comes less than three weeks after the federation's Special General Body Meeting, where both proposals had been presented as approved recommendations. The latest announcement provides greater flexibility to clubs as preparations begin for the upcoming ISL campaign, which will also mark the introduction of a new club-led operational model for India's top-flight league.

The decision is expected to ease concerns among clubs, many of whom had questioned the practicality of implementing both proposals within existing squad-building and tactical frameworks.

One of the most discussed proposals from the AIFF's June 20 meeting involved the introduction of OCI players into Indian football.

The federation had initially proposed that ISL and Indian Football League (IFL) clubs could field a starting eleven consisting of three foreign players and one OCI player. The announcement led to speculation that clubs would be encouraged—or even expected—to recruit OCI footballers as part of their squad planning. However, the AIFF has now clarified that signing OCI players is entirely optional.

Clubs will continue to have the freedom to decide whether they wish to include OCI players in their squads, with no obligation imposed by the federation. Importantly, any OCI player signed by a club will be counted within the existing foreign player quota rather than being treated as a separate category.

This clarification preserves the current squad registration structure while giving clubs the flexibility to explore OCI talent if suitable opportunities arise.

The AIFF also explained that the long-term participation of OCI players in Indian football remains dependent on decisions beyond the federation's control. The issue has gained momentum following the release of the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which highlighted the possibility of engaging Overseas Citizen of India cardholders in Indian sport. However, football presents unique regulatory challenges because FIFA's eligibility rules require players representing a national team to hold the passport of that country at the time they play.

Any broader policy allowing OCI footballers to represent India would therefore require approval at the central government level, including necessary policy decisions and alignment with FIFA regulations. The AIFF indicated that discussions on the matter have been ongoing for more than a year and that any future implementation would depend on formal government directions.

Until then, clubs remain free to recruit OCI players under existing regulations, provided they are counted within the foreign player quota.

Another proposal that generated considerable discussion was the recommendation that clubs ensure at least one Indian striker remained on the field throughout the full 90 minutes of every ISL match. The proposal was introduced with the objective of addressing one of Indian football's longstanding concerns—the shortage of quality centre-forwards capable of performing consistently at the international level.

The federation has now confirmed that this guideline will also remain optional. Rather than making it a mandatory regulation, the AIFF will encourage clubs to provide greater opportunities to Indian forwards while leaving final tactical decisions to individual coaches. The change reflects the practical realities of modern football, where formations, match situations, injuries, substitutions, and tactical adjustments frequently influence team selection throughout a game.

Mandating the presence of a specific type of player for an entire match would have significantly restricted coaches' tactical flexibility. Instead, the federation hopes clubs will voluntarily contribute towards developing Indian strikers by giving them increased playing opportunities.

New Club-Led ISL Model Begins

The clarification came during the announcement of the new agreement between the AIFF and ISL clubs regarding the future operation of the league. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, clubs will play a significantly larger role in managing and commercially operating the competition under a club-led model. The new structure replaces the earlier Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which governed the league's operations for over a decade.

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Unlike the previous arrangement, the revised framework includes safeguards that allow sufficient planning should participating clubs decide to withdraw from the operational model after the initial two-year period. The federation acknowledged that one of the shortcomings of the earlier agreement was that its expiry occurred during an ongoing football season, creating uncertainty around the league's future.

The new arrangement has been structured to align with complete football seasons, reducing the risk of mid-season administrative disruptions.

The AIFF also provided an update regarding newly promoted Diamond Harbour FC, whose participation had become the subject of speculation following their promotion from the Indian Football League. According to the federation, there is currently no indication that the club will be unable to participate in the 2026-27 ISL season.

Diamond Harbour, like all participating clubs, will undergo the club licensing process and has been given time to complete the necessary infrastructure and administrative requirements. The AIFF plans to send formal participation letters to all 14 clubs, seeking confirmation of their involvement through the required financial commitments. Unless any club communicates otherwise, the federation expects all 14 teams, including Diamond Harbour, to be part of the upcoming season.

The AIFF's latest clarification highlights the delicate balance it is attempting to strike between promoting player development and respecting the operational independence of clubs.

While increasing opportunities for Indian strikers and exploring the inclusion of OCI players remain important long-term objectives, enforcing such measures through mandatory regulations could have created practical challenges for clubs and coaching staff.

By making both proposals optional, the federation has chosen a more collaborative approach, encouraging clubs to contribute voluntarily towards the broader development of Indian football while retaining control over recruitment and tactical decisions.

With the league set to return to its traditional format under a new governance model and all 14 clubs expected to participate, attention will now shift towards preparations for the 2026-27 ISL season. The latest decisions also underline the AIFF's willingness to reconsider proposals based on stakeholder feedback, a move that could help strengthen cooperation between the federation and clubs as Indian football enters a new phase of professional development.