Mohun Bagan proposes roadmap for OCI players to AIFF, suggesting age limits and optional inclusion

By Arjun Nair / 29.06.2026

By Arjun Nair — 29 June 2026 — 6 min read

Mohun Bagan’s detailed proposal to AIFF

Mohun Bagan Super Giant has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) regarding the integration of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players into Indian football. The club’s recommendations aim to benefit both football clubs and the national team.

Earlier this month, the AIFF‘s Special General Meeting approved the inclusion of OCI/PIO players in the Indian Super League. The proposed framework would allow clubs to field a starting XI with three foreign players and one OCI player. While the governing body has pushed for this, widespread support from ISL clubs has been limited, with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal being the primary clubs to express clear backing.

In its communication to the AIFF, Mohun Bagan suggested that the inclusion of OCI players should be optional and that these players should be considered domestic footballers. The club stated that this approach would incentivize clubs to bring in more OCI players.

The Kolkata-based club also recommended an upper age limit for OCI players. They argued that the initiative should focus on long-term benefits for Indian football, noting that a 35-year-old OCI player would not align with the intended purpose of strengthening the sport over time.

Strategic approaches for OCI player integration

Mohun Bagan has put forth two potential strategies for integrating OCI players. For immediate gains, the club proposed an age limit of 30, which would allow eligible players sufficient time to acquire an Indian passport and potentially represent the national team.

Alternatively, a long-term strategy focuses on players under the age of 26. This approach aims to cultivate a stronger talent pool for the 2034 FIFA World Cup cycle. The club also suggested that each ISL club be permitted to register a maximum of two or three OCI players as domestic footballers to expedite the process.

The AIFF is currently working on the implementation framework. Several aspects, including salary structures, registration regulations, and achieving consensus among clubs, are still under discussion before the policy is formally introduced.

Wider discussions on OCI and sports passports

The debate surrounding OCI/PIO players is part of a broader discussion in Indian football. The national team’s performance has been a concern, with only four wins in the last three years, leading to a decline in fan engagement.

Many countries are exploring dual citizenship pathways to expand their talent pools. For instance, India’s neighbor, Bangladesh, has benefited from allowing dual passports, with players like Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury and US-based Ronan and Declan Sullivan contributing to their national teams.

India’s current regulations do not permit overseas citizens to represent the national team unless they hold an Indian passport. This typically requires giving up foreign citizenship, holding an OCI card for five years, and residing in the country for at least one of those years.

A source indicated that clubs would discuss implementing a pathway for such players, possibly requiring at least one season in India. The aim is to create a pool of 25 to 28 players of Indian origin, with the AIFF also looking to identify a similar pool for national team representation.

The Sports Ministry has reportedly forwarded a proposal for a specialized sports passport to the Government of India. This initiative could potentially allow OCI players to represent the national team without relinquishing their existing citizenship benefits. This proposal is still under government consideration.

The proposed Sports Passport is an eligibility framework that would allow certain athletes of Indian origin living abroad to represent India in international competitions without first acquiring full Indian citizenship. India does not currently permit dual citizenship, and national representation is generally limited to Indian passport holders. The proposal aims to create a distinct sporting pathway for eligible OCI and PIO athletes, similar to systems in countries like Indonesia, Morocco, and several European nations that have successfully utilized their diaspora talent. The Sports Passport is not yet law and is still being considered by the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant ministries.

The timing of this consideration is linked to India’s growing sporting ambitions, including its goal to become a stronger Olympic nation and its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Officials believe that India’s global diaspora represents an untapped resource of elite athletes who have trained in some of the world’s leading sporting systems. While the government has not released an official framework, reports suggest the proposal would allow eligible OCI and PIO athletes to represent India after meeting specific sporting and heritage criteria, bypassing the conventional citizenship process. National Sports Federations would likely identify athletes, verify their eligibility, and assess compliance with international federation rules governing nationality switches. Every sport has its own regulations, with bodies like FIFA, FIBA, and World Athletics maintaining separate eligibility requirements. Therefore, a Sports Passport would not automatically guarantee representation; it would still need to comply with international sporting laws.

Football is widely expected to be a major beneficiary if the Sports Passport proposal is approved. Many footballers of Indian origin currently play in England, Scotland, Canada, and Australia but are ineligible to represent India under existing rules. A Sports Passport could significantly expand the talent pool available to the AIFF. Basketball and tennis could also see immediate gains, as many athletes of Indian heritage train in elite overseas academies and collegiate systems. Olympic sports such as swimming, athletics, and fencing could similarly benefit from athletes with access to world-class coaching, sports science, and international competition. Supporters argue that these athletes could not only improve results but also elevate professional standards within Indian teams. The proposal has generated debate, with supporters believing India should leverage its global diaspora, while critics emphasize the importance of investing in grassroots development. The success of the Sports Passport would depend on its implementation, aiming to expand rather than replace India’s existing talent pipeline.

The ISL faces challenges, including clubs under financial strain and many teams struggling with low attendance at home venues. Some clubs are also shifting bases to reduce costs. Under current rules, an ISL club can sign up to six foreign players, including one Asian quota player, but can only field four. Any delay in finalizing slot distribution for OCI/PIO players could disrupt transfer planning across clubs. The question remains whether introducing OCI/PIO players will significantly improve Indian football, with Pakistan’s national football team serving as a cautionary example, as its FIFA ranking declined despite a long-standing openness to dual-citizenship players.

The AIFF will retain ownership of the league, in line with its constitution, while Genius Sports will act as a strategic consultant to stakeholders. The new model has been agreed upon in principle, and after further discussions, the entire framework will be made official.

Source: revsportz.in