Indian football’s governing body has made several key calls that will shape the coming months. The AIFF Executive Committee, chaired by President Kalyan Chaubey, met at Football House in New Delhi on Thursday, addressing a packed agenda ranging from India’s Brazil friendly to a struggling Jamshedpur FC.
Table of Contents
Two Squads, Two Historic Assignments
With India’s men’s team facing a scheduling clash between the Brazil friendly in Kolkata on October 3 and the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia (September 24 to October 3), the committee confirmed India will participate in both — by fielding entirely separate squads for each competition. The Brazil clash, falling within a FIFA International Match Window, was recognised as a rare opportunity for Indian players to test themselves against one of the world’s strongest footballing nations.
Key Decisions From the Meeting
| Decision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brazil Friendly | Separate squad, Kolkata, October 3 |
| FIFA ASEAN Cup | Separate squad, Indonesia, Sep 24-Oct 3 |
| Jamshedpur FC Deadline | Extended to August 12, 2026 |
| U15 Head Coach | Bibiano Fernandes (approved) |
| U15 Team Manager | Ranjit Bajaj |
| Santosh Trophy Format | No changes for 2026-27 |
| AIFF Budget | Approved for 2026-27 |
A Lifeline for Jamshedpur FC
Following the club’s decision to withdraw from the ISL amid a missed fee deadline, the committee opted to extend Jamshedpur FC’s window to reconsider until August 12, 2026 — a small but meaningful reprieve after players publicly appealed to TATA Group’s leadership last week.
Looking Ahead
The committee also greenlit Bibiano Fernandes as India’s U15 head coach for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan this October, while rejecting a proposed three-tier Santosh Trophy overhaul for now. Full meeting minutes are available on the official AIFF website.
For more Indian football governance news, check out our Football section on TechnoSports.
