Nearly 150 players in the Indian Super League (ISL) have their contracts expire as of Sunday, leaving their playing future uncertain. Reports state that the pool includes more than 20 players who are currently in the Indian national team or have been recently involved. The uncertainty is linked to an ongoing dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and ISL clubs over the structure of India’s top domestic league system and the terms under which the league operates next season.
Both outlets note that the latest contract expiry coincides with unsettled planning following changes to the 2025-26 ISL schedule. That season is described as delayed and curtailed, with 14 teams playing a round-robin league rather than the usual home-and-away format, after the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and its former commercial partners, FSDL, expired in December.
With their contracts ended, the players become free agents and can be signed by any ISL club. The AIFF is reported to have set a registration window with an initial starting date of June 12, continuing until August 31, as clubs prepare squads for the next season.
