The two Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are going to make their ISL debut this season. Mohun Bagan has merged with 3 times ISL winner ATK and will be known as ATK Mohun Bagan FC. Meanwhile, East Bengal has managed to retain their own identity as they brought on a new investor, Shree Cement and will be known as Sporting Club East Bengal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All the Indian football clubs have been attempting to meet a set of required criteria, popularly known as the AFC club licensing criteria, in order to take part in official tournaments since 2013. The clubs have to meet five different criteria which include Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel and Administrative, Legal, and Financial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ATK Mohun Bagan FC has been successfully granted the AFC Club License for the 2020-21 season. They have met all the required criteria and will also be playing continental football on the virtue of ATK winning the ISL last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n