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    AIFF’s Super Cup In Goa With 12 ISL Teams & Four I-League Clubs Come October

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    By News18,Ritayan Basu

    Copyright news18

    AIFF's Super Cup In Goa With 12 ISL Teams & Four I-League Clubs Come October

    The season-opening Super Cup will commence on October 25 in Goa, according to an official from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday.
    All Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, except Odisha FC, have agreed to participate in the tournament. Four I-League teams — Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala FC, and Rajasthan United — will also join the competition.
    As per reports, Churchill Brothers, one of the top three I-League clubs with direct entry, have opted out and have been replaced by Gokulam Kerala, who finished in fourth place. Rajasthan United, who were fifth, have taken the spot of Odisha.
    When And Where Is Super Cup?
    The draw for the tournament will be conducted virtually this Thursday.
    Traditionally, the Super Cup has been the season-ending tournament, but this year, due to prevailing circumstances, it will open the season.
    The AIFF has informed the clubs that the winning team of the Super Cup will be awarded a spot in the AFC Champions League 2 play-offs for the 2026-27 season. However, the winning team must hold the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing Regulations relevant for the 2026-27 season.
    FC Goa qualified for the ACL 2 play-offs—and subsequently the group stage — this season as champions of the Super Cup 2024-25.
    Previously, the AIFF stated that if an Indian club participating in the ACL 2 play-off fails to qualify, it will automatically enter the group stage of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL), the third tier of the continent’s club competition (one level below ACL 2).
    This mechanism ensures continued continental participation for Indian clubs, even if they exit at the ACL 2 play-off stage.
    Indian domestic football faced uncertainty after the ISL was put on hold due to unresolved issues surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and the league organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
    However, clarity is expected soon as the Supreme Court has recently approved the AIFF’s new constitution.
    (With inputs from PTI)

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