| File:Poster of 2025-26 Star Cement Indian Football League.jpg Season poster | |
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Stage I: 27 February – 19 April Stage II: 24 April – TBA May 2026[1] |
| Relegated | Churchill Brothers |
| Matches played | 55 |
| Goals scored | 170 (3.09 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Marcus Joseph Amadou Soukouna (4 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Shillong Lajong 6–1 Aizawl (18 April 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Namdhari 1–4 Chanmari (17 April 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Namdhari 4–5 Diamond Harbour (6 April 2026) |
| Longest winning run | Diamond Harbour (5 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Diamond Harbour (9 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Real Kashmir (7 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Real Kashmir Namdhari (4 matches) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 5 May 2026. | |
The 2025–26 Indian Football League, also known as the Star Cement Indian Football League for sponsorship reasons, is the fourth season of the Indian Football League as the second tier of the Indian football league system, which started on February 27, 2026.[2] Inter Kashi FC were the reigning champions, having won the 2024–25 I-League.
Developments[edit | edit source]
- After the Indian Super League received no bids for a sponsor, the I-League was left without a commercial partner too, putting the future of the league in doubt.[3][4]
- On 15 February 2026, the AIFF announced that the rebranded 2025–26 Indian Football League season will feature a two-stage format. Stage 1 will see the 10 participating clubs compete in a single-leg home-and-away round-robin format. In Stage 2, the teams get divided into two groups. Those that finished in the top half in Stage 1 will advance to a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half will compete in a centralised relegation round. All points from Stage 1 will be carried forward to Stage 2. The league toppers at the end of Stage 2 will be crowned the Indian Football League champions and will be promoted to the 2026–27 Indian Super League.[5]
- On 8th April 2026, the AIFF informed all clubs that going forward all matches would be played in the evenings under lights to increase primetime viewership. Hence, floodlights would have to be mandatory in every stadium, failing which a fine of 9 lakhs would be imposed in each instance the club failed to comply.[6]
Club changes[edit | edit source]
The following clubs have changed division since the 2024–25 season:
| # | Club | Path |
|---|---|---|
| Entered IFL | ||
| 1 | Diamond Harbour | Promotion from I-League 2 Template:Rise |
| 2 | Chanmari | |
| Exited IFL | ||
| 1 | Inter Kashi | Promotion to ISL Template:Rise |
| 2 | Sporting Bengaluru | Relegation to 2025–26 I-League 2 Template:Fall |
| 3 | Delhi | |
| 4 | Churchill Brothers | Withdrew |
The AIFF appeal committee stayed relegation for Delhi and Sporting Bengaluru from the 2024–25 I-League season until it arrives at a final judgement. Later, CAS terminated SC Bengaluru's appeal over non-payment and both teams entered Indian Football League One in this season.[7]
Churchill Brothers withdrew from the tournament.[8]
Clubs[edit | edit source]
Aizawl
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Aizawl, Mizoram | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 20,000 |
| Chanmari | |||
| Dempo | Carambolim, Goa | JLN Stadium | 19,000 |
| Diamond Harbour | Diamond Harbour, West Bengal | Bankimanjali Stadium | 15,000 |
| Kalyani Stadium | 20,000 | ||
| Gokulam Kerala | Kozhikode, Kerala | Payyanad Stadium | 30,000 |
| Namdhari | Bhaini Sahib, Punjab | Namdhari Stadium | 1,000 |
| Rajasthan United | Jaipur, Rajasthan | VD Nagar Stadium | 3,000 |
| Real Kashmir | Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir | TRC Turf Ground | 10,000 |
| Shillong Lajong | Shillong, Meghalaya | SSA Stadium | 5,000 |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Hyderabad, Telangana | Deccan Arena | 1,500 |
Personnel and sponsorship[edit | edit source]
| Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl |  R Lalruatfela
|
Vanlalhriatpuia
|
Vamos[9] | NECS Limited[10] |
| Chanmari | Dipankur Sharma
|
Zothanmawia
|
Six5Six | LESDE Mizoram |
| Diamond Harbour |  Kibu Vicuña
|
Jobby Justin
|
Nautica | Birla Tyres |
| Dempo | Samir Naik
|
Ariston Costa
|
Shiv Naresh | Dempo |
| Gokulam Kerala |  Dimitris Dimitriou
|
Nili
|
FLY HIGH | Sree Gokulam |
| Namdhari | Harpreet Singh
|
Jaskaranpreet Singh
|
SPS Hospitals[11] | Namdharis |
| Rajasthan United | Vikas Rawat
|
Bhabindra Malla Thakuri
|
King Sports | Vertak Group |
| Real Kashmir | Ishfaq Ahmed
|
Mohammad Inam
|
Hummel | Livpure |
| Shillong Lajong | Birendra Thapa
|
Kenstar Kharshong
|
King Sports | Meghalaya Tourism |
| Sreenidi Deccan |  Carlos Vaz Pinto
|
 David Castañeda
|
Six5Six | Sreenidhi Sports |
Managerial changes[edit | edit source]
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gokulam Kerala | Renjith TA
|
End of interim spell | 6 June 2025 | Pre-season | José Hevia
|
6 June 2025[12] |
| Shillong Lajong | José Hevia
|
Mutual consent | 5 June 2025 | Birendra Thapa
|
18 July 2025[13] | |
| Sreenidi Deccan | Ishant Singh
|
End of interim spell | 11 November 2025 | Carlos Vaz Pinto
|
12 November 2025 | |
| Chanmari | Dipankur Sharma
|
End of contract | 31 May 2025 | Victor Lalbiakmawia
|
20 February 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | José Hevia
|
Mutual Consent | 10 January 2026 | Derrick Pereira
|
11 January 2026 | |
| Gokulam Kerala | Derrick Pereira
|
Re-appointed as technical director | 5 March 2026 | 9th | Dimitris Dimitriou
|
6 March 2026[14] |
| Chanmari | Victor Lalbiakmawia
|
Sacked | 26 March 2026 | 7th | Dipankur Sharma
|
26 March 2026[15] |
Foreign players[edit | edit source]
Bold denotes the player was signed mid-season.
First stage[edit | edit source]
League table[edit | edit source]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Harbour | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 12 | +10 | 22 | Promotion round |
| 2 | Shillong Lajong | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 17[lower-alpha 1] | |
| 3 | Rajasthan United | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 17[lower-alpha 1] | |
| 4 | Sreenidi Deccan | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 15 | |
| 5 | Chanmari | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 15 | −1 | 11 | |
| 6 | Dempo | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 9[lower-alpha 2] | |
| 7 | Aizawl | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 22 | −9 | 9[lower-alpha 2] | Relegation round |
| 8 | Real Kashmir | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 8[lower-alpha 3] | |
| 9 | Gokulam Kerala | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 18 | −7 | 8[lower-alpha 3] | |
| 10 | Namdhari | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 18 | −6 | 7 |
Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Notes:
Fixtures and results[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports results".
Results by games[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Promotion round[edit | edit source]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Harbour | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 14 | +11 | 25 | Promotion to ISL |
| 2 | Shillong Lajong | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 9 | +11 | 21 | |
| 3 | Sreenidi Deccan | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 21 | |
| 4 | Rajasthan United | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 17 | |
| 5 | Dempo | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 13 | |
| 6 | Chanmari | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 21 | −7 | 11 |
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2026. Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Fixtures and results[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports results".
Results by games[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Relegation round[edit | edit source]
Points table[edit | edit source]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aizawl | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 25 | −8 | 13 | |
| 2 | Real Kashmir | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 17 | +1 | 11 | |
| 3 | Namdhari | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 20 | −4 | 10 | |
| 4 | Gokulam Kerala | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 23 | −10 | 9 | Relegation to IL2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 5 May 2026. Source: IFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
Fixtures and results[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports results".
Results by games[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Positions by round[edit | edit source]
Script error: No such module "sports rbr table".
Season statistics[edit | edit source]
Top scorers[edit | edit source]
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Amadou Soukouna
|
Rajasthan United | 4 |
 Marcus Joseph
|
Dempo | ||
| 3 | Phrangki Buam
|
Shillong Lajong | 3 |
| Antonio Moyano
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
 Fabrice Kah
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Halicharan Narzary
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| 18 | Zomuansanga
|
Aizawl FC | 3 |
 Shedrack Charles
|
Real Kashmir | ||
| Lalhriatpuia
|
Aizawl | ||
 Luka Majcen
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| Manvir Singh
|
Namdhari | ||
| Vincent Lalduhawma
|
Aizawl | ||
| Laldawngzuala
|
Aizawl | ||
 Joao Vitor Morais
|
Chanmari | ||
 Hadi Idrissou
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Everbrightson Mylliempdah
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Seilenthang Lotjem
|
Namdhari | ||
 {{Preview warning|unrecognized country in Template:flag icon}} Thabiso Brown
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Rahul Raju
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Hugo Díaz
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| 21 | K Vanlalhriatzuala
|
Aizawl | 1 |
 Abdoulaye Diallo
|
Namdhari | ||
| Abhishek Ambekar
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Mohammad Inam
|
Real Kashmir | ||
 Aubin Kouakou
|
Dempo | ||
| Paulo Cezar
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Lalruatsanga
|
Chanmari | ||
| Seijoseph Haokip
|
Real Kashmir | ||
| Kenstar Kharshong
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Suanngaihmuana
|
Chanmari | ||
| KC Malsawmsanga
|
Chanmari | ||
| Sebastián Gutiérrez
|
Dempo | ||
 Najib Fuseini
|
Namdhari | ||
| Ahteeb Ahmad Dar
|
Real Kashnir | ||
| Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| P Christopher Kamei
|
Chanmari | ||
| Moses Lalrinzuala
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
 Mirjalol Kasimov
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Malsawmsanga Renthlei
|
Chanmari | ||
| R Lalbiakliana
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Richmond Kwasi Owusu
|
Dempo | ||
| Jonathan Fernandes
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Tharpuia
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| Treimiki Lamurong
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Trijoy Savio Dias
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Malsawmzuala Tlangte
|
Aizawl | ||
| Pangambam Naoba Meitei
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Bidyashagar Singh
|
Namdhari | ||
| Djakaridja Junior Traoré
|
Real Kashmir | ||
| Sunday Afolabi
|
Diamond Harbour |
Hat-tricks[edit | edit source]
Top assists[edit | edit source]
| Rank | Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H Lalrempuia
|
Aizawl | 3 |
| Bryce Miranda
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| 3 | Vincent Lalduhawma
|
Aizawl | 2 |
| Sebastian Gutierrez
|
Dempo | ||
| Shedrack Charles
|
Real Kashmir | ||
| Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Laltlanzova
|
Aizawl | ||
| {{Preview warning|unrecognized country in Template:flag icon}} Thabiso Brown
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Antonio Moyano
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| 10 | Laldawngzuala
|
Aizawl | 1 |
| Seijoseph Haokip
|
Real Kashmir | ||
| Abdoulaye Diallo
|
Namdhari | ||
| Joao Vitor Morais
|
Chanmari | ||
| Hardik Bhatt
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Aron Vanlalrinchhana
|
Chanmari | ||
| Hugo Diaz
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| P Christopher Kamei
|
Chanmari | ||
| Marcus Joseph
|
Dempo | ||
| Balkaran Singh
|
Namdhari | ||
| Jaskaranpreet Singh
|
Namdhari | ||
| David Castaneda
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Jobby Justin
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| Phrangki Buam
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Jordan Lamela
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Karan Kumar Sharma
|
Namdhari | ||
| Paulo Cezar
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Joel Lalramengmawia
|
Chanmari | ||
| Manbir Singh
|
Namdhari | ||
| Jagdeep Singh
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Lalromawia
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Knerkitalang Buam
|
Dempo | ||
| Damaitphang Lyngdoh
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| Trijoy Savio Dias
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Rahul Raju
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Moses Lalrinzuala
|
Gokulam Kerala | ||
| Jonathan Fernandes
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Gautam Virwani
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Basit Ahmed Bhat
|
Real Kashmir |
Clean sheets[edit | edit source]
| Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shibinraj Kunniyil
|
Gokulam Kerala | 2 |
| Bhabindra Malla Thakuri
|
Rajasthan United | ||
| Kamaljit Singh
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Siwel Rymbai
|
Shillong Lajong | ||
| 5 | Zothanmawia
|
Chanmari | 1 |
| Bhaskar Roy
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Aryan Niraj Lamba[17]
|
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
| Dheeraj Singh
|
Diamond Harbour | ||
| Niraj Kumar
|
Namdhari |
Attendance[edit | edit source]
Overall[edit | edit source]
Awards[edit | edit source]
| Player of the match | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match no. | Player | Team | Match no. | Player | Team | Match no. | Player | Team |
| 1 | Nishan Singh
|
Namdhari | 2 | Zothanmawia
|
Chanmari | 3 | Fabrice Kah
|
Sreenidi Deccan |
| 4 | Sebastian Guiterrez
|
Dempo | 5 | Amadou Soukouna
|
Rajasthan United | 6 | Vincent Lalduhawma
|
Aizawl |
| 7 | Niraj Kumar
|
Namdhari | 8 | Joao Vitor Morais
|
Chanmari | 9 | Hugo Díaz
|
Diamond Harbour |
| 10 | Phrangki Buam
|
Shillong Lajong | 11 | Marcus Joseph
|
Dempo | 12 | Amadou Soukouna (2)
|
Rajasthan United |
| 13 | Ahteeb Ahmad Dar
|
Real Kashmir | 14 | Hardik Bhatt
|
Sreenidi Deccan | 15 | Siwel Rymbai
|
Shillong Lajong |
| 16 | Amadou Soukouna (3)
|
Rajasthan United | 17 | Phrangki Buam (2)
|
Shillong Lajong | 18 | Hadi Idrissou
|
Sreenidi Deccan |
| 19 | Shibinraj Kunniyil
|
Gokulam Kerala | 20 | Antonio Moyano
|
Diamond Harbour | 21 | Laldawngzuala
|
Aizawl |
| 22 | Niraj Kumar (2)
|
Namdhari | 23 | Hadi Idrissou (2)
|
Sreenidi Deccan | 24 | Abhishek Ambekar
|
Rajasthan United |
| 25 | Treimiki Lamurong
|
Shillong Lajong | 26 | Rahul Raju
|
Gokulam Kerala | 27 | Amadou Soukouna (4)
|
Rajasthan United |
| 28 | Kamaljit Singh
|
Sreenidi Deccan | 29 | Hugo Díaz (2)
|
Diamond Harbour | 30 | Bidyashagar Singh
|
Namdhari |
See also[edit | edit source]
- Men
- 2025–26 Indian Super League (Tier I)
- 2025–26 I-League 2 (Tier III)
- 2025–26 I-League 3 (Tier IV)
- 2025–26 Indian State Leagues (Tier V)
- 2025–26 AIFF Super Cup
- 2025 Durand Cup
- 2026 Reliance Foundation Development League
- Women
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ILeagueOfficial/photos/the-indian-football-league-2025-26-will-kick-off-on-february-27-more-details-bit/896922206054404/
- ↑ "Indian Football League to begin on February 27". www.the-aiff.com. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ↑ "Indian football crisis deepens as I-League finds no takers". The Times of India. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ "No kickoff in sight as Indian football battles an uncertain future: 'It is not about ISL. There is no I-League'". Firstpost. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ "Indian Football League to begin on February 27". All India Football Federation. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Mukherjee, Sayan (8 April 2026). "Rajasthan United scout new home as AIFF mandates IFL matches under lights". News9live.
- ↑
- "AIFF appeal committee issues stay order on relegation in I-League". News9live. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- "I-League: AIFF Appeals Committee dismisses SC Bengaluru's protest against Namdhari FC". Khel Now. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
- "CAS set to terminate SC Bengaluru's I-League relegation appeal over non-payment". Khel Now. 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
- ↑ "Churchill Bros left out of second-tier IFL". The Times of India. 2026-02-16. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
- ↑ "Unveiling our 40th Anniversary Edition Home Jersey for the 2024/2025 season. 🔴⚪️". X (Twitter). 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ↑ "Unveiling our 40th Anniversary Edition Home Jersey for the 2024/2025 season. 🔴⚪️". X (Twitter). 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ↑ Saha, Rahul (3 November 2023). "I-league Commercial Guide: A Complete List of the 2023/24 I-League Team Sponsors". sportskhabri.com. Sports Khabri. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ↑ "Gokulam appoint attack-minded Jose Hevia as head coach, aim instant ISL promotion". Onmanorama. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Lajong promote from within, name Birendra Thapa as new head coach". The Sports Room. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "IFL 2025-26: Gokulam Kerala appoints Dimitris Dimitriou as head coach". 2026-03-07.
- ↑ . 2026-03-07.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ Sportslightmedia
- ↑ Substituted in for Bhaskar Roy
Template:Indian football league seasons Template:2025–26 in Indian football