The defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will start their season against Kerala Blasters FC because Indian football will begin its official match schedule on Saturday after months of waiting for its start date.

The start of the new season will take place during a period when the organization faces both operational changes and internal conflicts. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) now operates the ISL because it ended its Master Rights Agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which the Reliance Industries group owns, since the league started in 2014.

The new framework for Indian football administration produces an administrative overhaul while it creates financial difficulties for the league structure and player movement. The clubs face difficulties during the transitional phase which affects their ability to build teams and prepare for upcoming matches.

Sergio Lobera Leads Mohun Bagan Through Their Title Defense

New head coach Sergio Lobera leads Mohun Bagan, which won the ISL Shield and Cup, into the new season after the team achieved success under last season’s coach Jose Molina.

Lobera explained to the media that he needed to meet the requirements of his job because he was responsible for managing the team that won the championship.

Lobera expressed his responsibility for leading the Kolkata giants when he explained his need to experience pressure while competing for major goals.

Mohun Bagan has maintained its stability throughout the last few months when Indian football became disorganized. The club built its team during the off-season, which allowed them to train for several months, which makes them a strong contender to defend their championship title.

Kerala Blasters Begin Their Campaign Under Difficult Conditions

The Blasters will face difficulties during their opening match against the team from Durban. The club parted ways with several key foreign players, including Noah Sadaoui, Jesus Jimenez and Adrian Luna, and appointed new head coach David Catala.

Catala faces an uphill task, having just 14 days of preparation with a new group of overseas recruits unfamiliar with Indian conditions.

“We have come here with just 14 days of preparation and it’s not enough,” Catala admitted. “We are up against a team that has been training for months. We will be the underdogs, but in football anything can happen.”

The financial problems that the league faces have created economic pressure on multiple teams throughout the competition.

The financial situation has forced teams to make tough choices. Players such as David Timor, Iker Guarrotxena and Borja Herrera (FC Goa), Tiri (Mumbai City FC) and Edgar Mendez (Bengaluru FC) have exited Indian football.

NorthEast United FC, which won the Durand Cup, has loaned out their star forward Alaeddine Ajaraie to Persija Jakarta in Indonesia after he won the 2024-25 ISL season MVP award.

A Season of Transition

The ISL restarts its operations after entering a process of organizational adjustment. The league operates under a new administrative structure which presents a critical moment for the future of Indian football because its games will use a shorter format.

The match between Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters will begin the new season which marks a new period for Indian football when it takes place in Kolkata.