Football News: Top three I-League teams that could qualify for ISL next season

It is an aftermath of a roadmap discussed in 2019 between stakeholders. The winners of the second-tier league will be allowed to enter the ISL by emerging as the champions of the I-League. 

Currently, several teams are waiting to grab the opportunity with both hands. They will be exempted from paying a whopping franchise fee which is usually a requirement for the existing clubs in ISL. 

Here, we have listed three clubs from the I-League that could reach.

Gokulam Kerala FC

Gokulam Kerala FC can realistically make the jump to the top-tier league of Indian football. The defending I-League champions will seek their third consecutive league win in the upcoming edition. 

The 2019 Durand Cup winners can give ISL teams a run for their money. They defeated ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) 4-2 in the AFC Cup earlier in May 2022. However, they were absent from the recent edition due to timing issues. 

Mohammedan SC

Mohammedan SC can be clubbed with ATKMB and East Bengal regarding their popularity in Kolkata. They could combat other teams in the I-League and make it to ISL. 

Marcus Joseph and Nikola Stojanovic are top players who could be a hit among ISL fans. Mohammedan SC were runners-up last term and were semi-finalists in the 2022 Durand Cup after a resounding victory against Kerala Blasters FC.

Churchill Brothers SC

Churchill Brothers SC have won the I-League twice and clinched the Durand Cup three times. They also have a Federation Cup victory under their belt. They finished fourth last term and are now facing tough competition from other teams, including newcomers Sreenidi Deccan FC.

Tana, Abdoulaye Sané and others could help script a win for the team. 

Why is I-League recognised as a league by FIFA and ISL only as a tournament?

Despite the ever-expanding fanbase of the ISL, it is not recognised by FIFA as a league. The competition thrived without official recognition from FIFA for the first three years. 

In October 2014, then FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke revealed that the world governing body recognised ISL as a tournament, not a league.

I-League remained the official league for football in India. However, I-League clubs have limited resources compared to ISL clubs which are also known for connecting with local audiences on a deeper level. 

ISL is more commercialized and yields higher revenues annually. 

Then why is I-League still the official league in India?

In 1996 the National Football League (NFL), India's first national competition, kicked off, and for ten seasons, it failed to acquire success due to poor infrastructure, besides other reasons. 

In 2007 it was rebranded as the I-League and launched. It proved to be more efficient and effective as compared to its predecessor. However, India still needed a new national league that could be compared to cricket's successful Indian Premier League (IPL). 

So the ISL was released in October 2014 with eight franchises catering to one city. Although FIFA greenlit the proposition, it didn't announce it as a league due to the nature of its form. 

In contrast to the I-League, which is characterised by promotion from and relegation to a second tier, a practice observed in most internationally recognised football leagues. ISL sides are sheltered from the same concept to safeguard owners' investments.

ISL is more of a closed and commercial tournament that attracts players due to the franchises' financial power that is now depriving I-League clubs of top football stars. Due to this, the ISL has more followers and overall success than the I-League despite the latter possessing more official authority.