Goa to host Super Cup, AFC spot on offer for winner

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sought support from the Goa Football Association (GFA) to host the Super Cup at two venues later this year.The AIFF plans to organise the Super Cup from Oct 25 to Nov 22 in a phased manner.

According to the tentative schedule, group stage games involving 16 teams – spread across four groups – will be played between Oct 25 and Nov 6 when the tournament takes a break for the FIFA international window.

No dates have been fixed for the knockout stage which will involve semifinals and final but indications are that the tournament will resume after India’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on Nov 18.The AIFF has proposed to conduct the matches at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, under floodlights at 7.30pm, while matches at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, will kick off at 5pm.The AIFF wants support from GFA to coordinate with the state govt and secure both stadiums, four training grounds for use by the participating clubs, floodlight support at both match venues to ensure smooth conduct of evening fixtures, and medical support, which includes provision of ambulances and functional medical rooms.

“The AIFF deeply appreciates the long-standing cooperation extended by the GFA in hosting major national and international football competitions, and we look forward to your continued support in delivering another successful tournament in Goa,” AIFF deputy general secretary M Satyanarayan wrote in a letter to GFA president Caitano Fernandes on Friday.The GFA said it is keen to “provide all possible help” to ensure smooth conduct of the tournament.The Super Cup is likely to involve 16 teams, which, as per the initial plan, will include 13 from ISL and three from the I-League. Four ISL clubs have "conditionally consented" to participate as they wait for clarity, while Odisha have told the AIFF they have taken the “difficult decision” of not participating in the Super Cup 2025.The club is “willing to reconsider” only if there is clarity on the announcement of the start date of the ISL and the financial receivables for clubs.“We have written to Odisha to reconsider their decision and participate in the Super Cup,” said a senior AIFF official.With India finishing tenth in the Member Association (MA) ranking by the Asian Football Confederation for the west zone, the country will have two slots at the AFC Club Competitions for 2026-27 season. The first, reserved for the top-tier league winner, will be a direct slot in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) group stage, while the second slot will see a playoff spot for the same tournament.“The winner of the AIFF Super Cup will be awarded the Indirect Slot (play-off stage) in ACL Two 2026-27 season, provided the team also gets the Premier 1 License under the Indian Club Licensing regulations relevant for the 2026-27 season. Should the team not advance through the play-off, it will participate in the AFC Challenge League group stage, thereby guaranteeing additional representation for India in AFC competitions,” Satyanarayan wrote to the participating clubs.