The 135th edition of the Durand Cup gets underway on Saturday with one of Indian football's biggest rivalries taking centre stage as East Bengal FC face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the opening match of the tournament. The Group A encounter will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 pm IST. Fans can watch the match live on the Sony Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website.
Founded in 1888, the Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third-oldest football competition in the world after England's FA Cup and the Scottish Cup. The 2026 edition will run from July 25 to August 23, featuring 24 teams divided into six groups of four. The six group winners, along with the two best second-placed teams, will qualify for the quarter-finals. Matches will be hosted across six venues in Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati and Ranchi.
The opening fixture brings together the two most successful clubs in the competition's history. Mohun Bagan enter the tournament with a record 17 Durand Cup titles, while East Bengal have lifted the trophy 16 times. Their latest Kolkata Derby adds another chapter to one of Indian football's fiercest rivalries, with both teams aiming to begin the domestic season on a winning note and secure an early advantage in Group A, which also includes CISF Protectors and South United FC.
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Both clubs will also begin a new era under recently appointed head coaches. Antonio Lopez Habas takes charge of East Bengal, while Panagiotis Dilmperis will lead Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The match is expected to feature a greater number of Indian players than usual, as several foreign signings from both teams are still regaining match fitness after arriving late for pre-season preparations.
East Bengal have strengthened their squad ahead of the new campaign by signing Boris Singh, Phurba Lachenpa, Danish Farooq and Dani Ramirez. Mohun Bagan have also reinforced their squad with the additions of Rahul Bheke, Dejan Drazic, Miguel Figueira and Samir Zeljkovic. Although some overseas recruits may not feature prominently in the tournament opener, the match will provide supporters with an early look at both teams under their new coaching setups.
NorthEast United FC enter the tournament as the defending champions after winning last year's title. Alongside Indian Super League and I-League clubs, this year's competition also features Services teams and Sri Lankan side Defenders FC, reflecting the Durand Cup's continued status as one of India's premier domestic football tournaments. The Kolkata Derby is expected to set the tone for the month-long competition as both traditional rivals begin their quest for another Durand Cup title.
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