City Football Group (CFG), the global football conglomerate that owns Premier League club Manchester City, are set to exit Mumbai City FC due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding Indian football and the Indian Super League (ISL).
The ISL 2025–26 season has been delayed by more than three months, with no confirmed start date or clear league calendar. The continued lack of clarity over scheduling, commercial direction, and governance has created widespread instability across the football ecosystem.
The I-League and I-League 2 remain suspended as well, leaving the domestic football structure at a complete standstill.
Amid this uncertainty, Mumbai City FC have formally informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of a change in their ownership structure.
CFG are withdrawing from the club, and once the process is completed, Mumbai City FC will return to full ownership under actor Ranbir Kapoor and businessman Bimal Parekh.
The timing of CFG’s decision closely aligns with the deepening crisis within Indian football.
Clubs are under heavy financial pressure. The federation currently has Rs. 19.89 crore in its bank account but plans to spend Rs. 50.48 crore between January and May 2026.
Even after accounting for a projected surplus of Rs. 9.44 crore, AIFF is expected to face a deficit of Rs. 23.11 crore by May 31, 2026.
In addition, the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement has cut off a major source of income for clubs, making continued operations increasingly unsustainable. Players and coaches remain idle, while even foreign staff have expressed frustration over the prolonged lack of clarity.
With the future of the ISL still uncertain and investor confidence continuing to weaken, CFG’s withdrawal raises serious questions about the direction of football in India and whether other clubs may face similar challenges in the near future.
