Kolkata : 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.
Five-star accreditation
Punjab FC
Jamshedpur FC
Reliance Foundation Young Champs
Minerva Academy FC
FC Madras
Bengaluru FC
Alchemy International FA
Four-star accreditation
Sreenidi Deccan FC
Maharasthra Oranje FC
FC Mangalore
Corbett FC
South United FC
Bravo Football
MUM – Dsouza Football Academy
Kickstart FC
Awadh Mutineers SC
Three-star accreditation
Techtro Lucknow FC
Football 4 Change Academy
Zinc Football Academy
ARA FC
Community Football Club India
Adrenaline New Era
J&K Sports Council Football Academy, Srinagar
Sudeva Delhi FC
Adamas United Sports Academy
Muthoot Football Academy
Pehlum Lamhil Lawm
First Kick School of Soccer Academy
Roots Football Club
Altius International Football Academy (AIFA)
Pune Pioneers F.C.
NorthEast United FC
PFC Kerala
Dempo Sports Club
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Conscient Football
Two-star accreditation
Vels Football Club
City FC Pune
SSE BFC Soccer Schools, Mumbai
Snipers Football Club
Bidhannagar Municipal Sports Academy
Rising Pune F.C.
Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools – Delhi
ODM Football Schools
Stadium Football Club
Brahmavid Football Academy
Sports Mania
Don Bosco Vaduthala
KFTC Football Academy Kozhikode
Classic Football Academy
Raman Sports Academy
ASUFII FA
PUNE-UKM Kothrud FC
Murugappa Youth Football Academy
SESA Football Academy
FC Marina Academy, Chennai
Minerva Academy FC Bengaluru
Conscient Football Bangalore
Numaligarh Refinery Limited Football Academy
Inter Kashi
Conscient Football Mumbai
Thadam FC
Bengal Football Academy
Northern United Football Club
BBFS Shillong
Chennai Strikers Football Club
TYDA
Dream Big Soccer School India, Karur
Thane City FC
Reeds FC
Mumbai Soccer Prodigies
Mumbai City FC
Shillong Lajong FC
SKM Sports Foundation (Kalna)
Snigmay Pune Football Club
FAO Academy
Kodagu FC
4 For All Football Academy
Sporthood FC
MUM–Somaiya Sports Academy
Young Steps Academy
Pune Krida Prabodhini Academy
Rajasthan United Football Club
Juba Sangha FC
The Sports School
RKM Football Academy
Great Goals
Regular Football Coaching Center
Sirukalathur Galatipet Football Club
IMA Football Academy
Bangalore City FC
Brothers Sports Association
Sang-Gai Heroes
Little Star Academy
Artz N India Football Club, Dindigul
One star accreditation
Elite FA
Stemfield Football Club, Jabalpur
Infocus Sports Academy
Project Mahadeva F.C.
Poloi Football Club
Oscar Foundation – Mumbai
ORO FC
India Rush Soccer Club
Lakecity FC
Sanjeevan Sports Academy
FC Tamilions
JAIN Sports
Rebels FC
The Soccer Academy
Sethu FC, Madurai
Downtown Heroes Football Club
Rudra FC
Namdhari Sports Academy
Petra Sports Academy
SP Football Academy
Gokulam Kerala FC
Conscient Sports Hyderabad
Rangdajied United Football Club
Sadar Hills FA
Doon City Football Club
Muvanlai Athletics
Hiyai Football Academy
New Football Club Kerala
Yazhi Football Club
Aazura Football Academy
Mother’s Pride Football Academy
Savvy Swaraaj FC, Ahmedabad
Premier Sporting Football Academy
Lenruol Football Club
Inter Awadh Football Club
Pay For Right Youth and Cultural Club, Shillong
Kenkre FC
Senapati Football Club
Mumbai – Football School of India
Pathways Empowerment FA
FC Madurai
Lushai Corner FA
Sreenidhi SA
TLT Sports Academy
FC Kumaon
Nashik Juniors FC.
