The All India Football Federation (AIFF) clarifies that for the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season, clubs are not required to sign Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players. AIFF states that any OCI recruit would still be counted within the league’s foreign player framework, specifically the six-player foreign quota. The federation also adjusts expectations around the use of Indian players: fielding an Indian striker for the full 90 minutes is described as a recommendation rather than a binding requirement. According to the AIFF clarification, decisions on line-ups and match tactics remain with individual clubs and their coaches. This comes after earlier indications that may have suggested greater compulsion regarding OCI recruitment. The AIFF’s latest position ensures ISL clubs retain discretion on whether to include OCI players in their squads while still operating within the established quota structure. Overall, the federation frames both OCI signings and full-match deployment of an Indian striker as non-mandatory, allowing clubs flexibility in team selection for the upcoming season.