Kolkata : Asia’s oldest tournament Durand Cup is all set to commence across 5 cities from July 25 to August 23.
The 135th edition will feature 24 teams including 9 debutants. The tournament begins in Kolkata on July 25 before Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati over the next four weeks. The final will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The historic competition will once again bring together Indian Super League clubs, I-League sides, Services teams, emerging domestic outfits and overseas teams.
Kolkata will once again serve as the tournament’s hub, hosting two groups, the opening match, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final across the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
The city will play host to record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, 16-time winners East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, South United FC, CISF, Indian Army and debutants Baghpat FC and Samaleswari Sporting.
Ranchi will make its debut as a Durand Cup host, with the Birsa Munda Stadium staging league matches from July 26 to August 16 and one quarter-final. The city will host Jamshedpur FC, Sporting Club Delhi, Indian Air Force and debutants Defenders FC.
Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Stadium will host league matches from July 28 to August 17, besides a quarter-final. The group features local clubs TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, Indian Navy and debutants FC Raengdai.
Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will stage league matches from July 31 to August 20 before hosting one of the semi-finals. The venue will feature Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh SS&CC, Langsning FC and debutants Mumbay FC.
The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati will host league-stage fixtures from August 1 to 13. Defending champions NorthEast United FC headline the group, alongside FC1, Bodoland FC and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC.
This edition will feature 9 debutants. Among them are SC Delhi, Baghpat FC, Samaleswari Sporting, Defenders FC, FC Raengdai, Nangkeh Sports, Mumbay FC, Langsning FC, FC 1.
In this article we will discuss about the 9 debutants in Durand Cup 2026.
(1) SC Delhi :
Sporting Club Delhi (SC Delhi) are the only ISL Club to make debut. Previously Hyderabad FC, they made a good ISL 2026 debut finishing with 11 points. They’re drawn with Jamshedpur FC , Defenders FC, Indian Air Force FT in Group C.
(2) Baghpat FC
Baghpat FC (also operating as FC Banaras Baghpat) is an Indian professional football club based in Uttar Pradesh and affiliated with the AIFF. They made headlines by winning the I-League 3 2025-26 title, which earned them a direct promotion to the I-League 2 for the 2026-27 season. Fielding a young squad, they’re drawn along with Indian Army, Samaleswari Sporting and Mohammedan SC in Group B.
(3) Samaleswari Sporting
Samaleswari Sporting is an Indian professional football club based in Sambalpur, Odisha. They participate in the I-League 3. The Odisha based club will face Indian Army, Mohammedan SC and Baghpat FC in Group B. Samaleswari Sporting have played in state and regional level tournaments such as Churachand Singh Trophy, All-India knockout tournaments, Sambalpur Cup, and Biju Patnaik Memorial Trophy.
(4) FC Raengdai :
FC Raengdai is a professional football club based in Noney, Manipur, India, founded in November 2022 to promote football within the Zeliangrong community. Coached by Birbal Singh Kshetrimayum, the club made historic strides by finishing runners-up in the 2025–26 I-League 3, earning promotion to the I-League 2 for the 2026–27 season. They’re also the first tribal club from Manipur to reach the I-League 2. Raengdai are drawn along with TRAU FC, Indian Navy and NEROCA FC in Group D.
(5) Nongkseh Sports Social and Cultural Club (SS&CC)
Nongkseh Sports Social and Cultural Club (SS&CC) is an ascending football team based in Upper Shillong, Meghalaya. Following an undefeated championship run in the 5th Meghalaya State League and winning the 11th All India Chief Minister’s Gold Cup, the club qualified for I-League 3 and Durand Cup 2026. They’re drawn with Shillong Lajong, Langsning FC and Mumbay FC in Group E.
(6) Mumbay FC
Mumbay FC is a Football club based in Mumbai. It competes in the Indian Football League 3 and the Maharashtra State Senior Men’s Football League. Officially launched on 17 July 2024, they granted entry to the 2024–25 Mumbai Premier League, replacing Protrack. Even Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff was roped in as an unofficial marquee player to promote the new club. He even made his debut as a professional footballer, and played a game. Later in the year, Mumbay FC formed a partnership with Magic Made Soccer Solapur which entered the 2024–25 Maharashtra State Senior Men’s Football League. MMS Solapur ended up winning the tournament unbeaten and were declared the champions of Maharashtra. Since MMS Solapur was its sister club, Mumbay FC was granted a slot in the 2025–26 I-League 3. They’re drawn with Shillong Lajong, Nongkeh Sports, Langsning FC.
(7) Langsning FC
Langsning FC is a Shillong based Football club. They compete and are three times champion in the Shillong Premier League (SPL) and has previously played in the I-League 2. They’re drawn along with Shillong Lajong, Nongkeh Sports, Mumbay FC in Group E.
(8) FC 1 :
FC 1 is a Kashmir based club drawn in Group F along with defending champion North East United FC, Bodoland FC, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC and will play their league-stage matches in Guwahati at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Previously 1 Ladakh FC, currently, team primarily features players from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh.
(9) Defenders FC
Defenders FC is a Sri Lankan professional football club based in Colombo’s Homagama, affiliated with the Sri Lanka Army. They compete in the Sri Lankan Super League and have been named the country’s national champions multiple times. They are an overseas side in Durand Cup 2026 and might prove challenging for Indian clubs. The Sri Lanka Army based club has whooping record of winning Srilanka FA Cup 7 times and Sri Lanka Champions League 2 times and also featured in AFC competitions like AFC Cup and AFC President’s Cup. They’re drawn along with Jamshedpur FC, Indian Air Force, SC Delhi in Group C.
