Image: FC Madras

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF), on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, announced the results of its annual Academy Accreditation Programme, with the number of four and five-star academies more than doubling from the previous season.

A total of 164 academies applied for accreditation for the 2026-27 season, of which 142 earned accreditation. 16 academies achieved five and four-star ratings, significantly more than last season's tally of seven, reflecting the continued improvement in the quality and standards of youth academies across the country.

The 2026-27 accreditation cycle also introduced several enhancements to further strengthen the player development pathway. The academy structure was expanded to include U20 boys' and U18 girls' teams, while academies were rewarded for every five youth matches played and recorded on the AIFF CMS.

The revised framework also places greater emphasis on long-term player development. Points are now awarded for players developed through an academy's own Blue Cubs programme, minutes played by local players, individual training plans, and players representing India at the U17, U20 and U23 levels.

Player welfare has also been strengthened, with the presence of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and player insurance made mandatory for accredited academies. Furthermore, academies earned bonus points for conducting educational initiatives such as safeguarding and injury prevention workshops, encouraging the adoption of best practices beyond technical development.

The list of accredited academies for the 2026-27 season is available on this link.

Click here to access the full document containing the regulations for AIFF Academy Accreditation 2026-27.