AIFF Announces Start Dates and Upgraded Coaching Standards for 2026-27 Women's Football Season
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially announced the start dates for the upcoming 2026-27 seasons of the Indian Women's League (IWL) and IWL 2, marking a major step forward in professionalizing women's club football in India. The top-tier IWL will kick off on October 16, 2026, featuring eight teams including newly promoted HOPS FC and Juba Sangha FC alongside six returning clubs.
Meanwhile, the second-tier IWL 2 is scheduled to begin its group stage on October 23, featuring 20 clubs spread across four groups, leading up to a six-team final round starting in late November. To elevate the overall technical quality of domestic competitions, the AIFF League Committee approved enhanced minimum coaching qualification requirements effective from the 2027-28 season. Under the revised rules, IWL head coaches must hold an AFC A Licence, while assistant coaches will require an AFC B Licence.
Additionally, player welfare and roster rules have been tightened to prevent players from competing in both divisions within the same season. The new schedule and upgraded professional standards reflect AIFF's broader push to structure women's football into a sustained, competitive domestic pyramid.
