Valanka Alemao, chief executive of Churchill Brothers, has declined to confirm what the club will be called as it gears up for the upcoming Indian Super League season. The Goan club’s recent acquisition of the corporate entity behind Jamshedpur FC will see them return to the top tier of Indian football. Tata Steel agreed on August 14 to transfer its entire shareholding in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited, which was the company holding JFC’s ISL sporting license, for a token amount of Rs 100.

The transaction covered more than four crore equity shares and is expected to be finalised by August 31, pending final clearances from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

There has also been some confusion among fans as to what name the team will use in the 2026-27 ISL season. When asked whether the team would play as Churchill Brothers, as Jamshedpur, or under a new name, Alemao indicated that the matter was still open.

“At least, as I’m speaking to you, you’re speaking to me as Churchill Brothers,” she said.

“So we will look at it, whatever it is. But I’m sure it’s going to be the best for Indian football, and no party is going to be affected or hurt.”

Currently, as things stand, if AIFF approves Churchill’s acquisition, the license stays with the Jamshedpur entity, and only its ownership has been changed. Legally, Churchill needs to participate in the ISL as Jamshedpur FC, unless AIFF grants permission to change it. The Premier 1 license was granted to Jamshedpur for 2026-27 in May. The license is for the legal entity; the name and logo on the file are the ones given to AFC for licensing purposes. A share sale changes the owner. It doesn’t change the registered name, and no rule makes a rebranding automatic.

The AIFF also has the power to refuse or withdraw the license if a club alters its name, trademark, ownership, logo or management structure without prior approval. So the decision solely rests on AIFF’s approval.

Churchill Brothers have already paid their Rs 1.1 crore participation fee for the ISL.

Alemao confirmed that the club will also honour the terms in their transaction with Tata, which include absorbing twelve JFC players and two members of the coaching staff.

“Part of the agreement. And honouring the commitment. We stick to it,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to building a great squad with the 12 players and two coaches.”

Since the news became public, the club has received positive reactions from fans. But there has also been a certain amount of criticism, as Churchill were relegated to I-League 2 after pulling out of the 2025-26 IFL season. Their protest stemmed from a legal battle where the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned their provisional 2024-25 I-League title and gave it to Inter Kashi instead.

Many fans have been critical of the manner in which Churchill are entering the ISL. Alemao acknowledged the criticism, but also pointed to earlier changes in the league.

“I would just take you back to the fact that Delhi became an Odisha. Pune became a Hyderabad. Hyderabad became SC Delhi,” she said.

“Negativity, positivity is all there. And I appreciate everybody’s views. But at the end of the day, it’s about how you perform and what your intention is.

“Our intention is to play the sport, give a platform to a lot of youngsters and make the best out of it. And one day India should be working and qualify for the FIFA World Cup. I mean, that’s the goal of my father and the dream and the vision he carries forward.”

The club has been run by the Alemao family for decades now. Valanka has served as its CEO since 2007, and is also the first woman elected to the AIFF Executive Committee. She is also part of FIFA.

A change of name would need AIFF approval, and the federation has granted rebrandings in the past. With the season likely to begin in October, there is still some window for it to settle the question.