New Delhi: AIFF Executive Committee meets, approve...

By Rohan Gupta — 6 August 2026 — 4 min read

AIFF Executive Committee Decisions

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Executive Committee convened at the Football House in New Delhi on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The meeting, chaired by AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, addressed several key matters concerning Indian football. Among the attendees were Treasurer Mr Kipa Ajay, Deputy Secretary General Mr M Satyanarayan, and various committee members including 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 decision from the meeting was the confirmation of India’s participation in two upcoming international football events. India will play in a men’s international friendly against five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil on October 3, 2026, in Kolkata. Concurrently, India will also participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, scheduled from September 24 to October 3, 2026. The Executive Committee recognized the match against Brazil as a unique opportunity for Indian players to gain exposure against a strong footballing nation.

To facilitate participation in both events, the AIFF will formally inform FIFA that India will field separate squads for the match against Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup. This approach aims to maximize competitive opportunities for Indian players.

Strategic and Financial Considerations

The decision to field two separate teams for these events has generated discussion, with former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia expressing his opposition during the Executive Committee meeting. Bhutia argued that the primary focus should be on the FIFA ASEAN Cup, suggesting that India should send its strongest team to this competition for competitive experience and potential prize money.

Bhutia highlighted the financial implications of the friendly match against Brazil, noting that the AIFF plans to make an advance payment to Brazil. He questioned the federation’s risk assessment, especially given the current financial challenges facing Indian football, including a reported deficit of Rs 14 crores. Bhutia emphasized that clubs are struggling to secure sponsorships, citing Jamshedpur FC’s withdrawal from the Indian Super League (ISL) as an example.

The AIFF, however, stated that the advance payment for the Brazil match could be reimbursed through sponsors. The FIFA ASEAN Cup, introduced by FIFA to enhance football in Southeast Asia, offers India valuable matches against regional rivals such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. India has been drawn into Group A of Division 1, also known as the Premier Division, for the inaugural tournament.

Other Key Approvals and Reviews

The Executive Committee also reviewed the preparations for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season, following the adoption of a new club-led commercial model. Updates were provided on the progress made by participating clubs and the Federation in operational planning. The AIFF has extended the deadline for Jamshedpur FC to reconsider its decision regarding participation until August 12, 2026.

Following a recommendation from the AIFF Technical Committee, 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 team is set to participate in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan in October. Ranjit Bajaj was approved as the team manager, with the contingent limited to 20 members, comprising six staff and 14 players, as per tournament regulations.

A proposal from the Competition Committee for a revamped three-tier format for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy was not approved. The Executive Committee cited concerns regarding competitive opportunities and player development. The Competitions Committee has been asked to revise the proposal for future consideration. Consequently, the format for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 season.

Additionally, the AIFF’s budget for the period of June 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, was approved by the Executive Committee. The committee was also informed about notifications from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, concerning the adoption of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. Member Associations with upcoming elections are required to meet compliance requirements by October 20, 2026.

The AIFF Secretariat provided updates on the compliance requirements for Member Associations, ensuring adherence to the new regulatory framework established by the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Source: the-aiff.com