 "Indian footballers appeal to FIFA to save football in the country: 'We are facing a humanitarian, sporting and economic crisis'")
Top Indian footballers, including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri and overseas footballers who are part of the Indian Super League (ISL) sides have released a video, pleading with FIFA to intervene and save football in the country. ISL, which generally starts in September, has not yet begun, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has also failed to start the I-League and I-League 2.
The ISL was initially delayed as AIFF failed to renew the commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)’s contract, which ended in December 2025. AIFF also tried to find a new commercial partner by floating a new tender, but received no bids.
Indian footballers plead with FIFA to save football in the country
With no clarity on when the ISL would start and thousands of livelihoods at stake, the footballers have turned to the world governing body of football, FIFA, to provide relief and keep the sport going in India.
“It’s January and we should be on your screens as apart of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League,” India goalkeeper Gurpreet said in a powerful video shared by many footballers.
“Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know,” star defender Jhingan added.
“But more importantly, we are here to make a plea," Lallianzuala Chhangte continued.
. @FIFAcom @FIFPRO @FIFPROAsiaOce @FPAI pic.twitter.com/urNqYfmVcH
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) January 2, 2026
“Indian football government is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at a permanent paralysis,” other players added.
“This is the last-ditch effort to save what we can. So we are calling the FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football. We hope this message gets to the power that are in Zurich. This call is not political, it is not driven by confrontation but by necessity.
“It might sound like a big word but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, sporting and economic crisis. And of course, we need rescuing at the earliest.
“Players, staff, owners and the fans deserve clarity, protection and more importantly, a future,” Chhetri added.
“We just want to play football, please help us do it,” Suresh Wangjam concluded.
ISL clubs set two conditions in front of AIFF
On Thursday, thirteen of the 14 ISL clubs told AIFF that they are "ready" to take part in the delayed 2025-26 season, but without any participation fee and if the federation takes financial responsibility for running the competition.
Sources have said that AIFF may agree to invest its own money in running the league, but a participation fee would be demanded.
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