East Bengal FC is drawn in Group A for Durand Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be played between July 25 and August 23. This will be the 135th edition of oldest football tournament in Asia and the fifth oldest national football competition in the world.
24 teams including two foreign teams will participate. The tournament will be hosted by Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong.
Kolkata matched will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Birsa Munda Stadium will host matches of Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
16 times champion East Bengal is clubbed with Indian Air Force FT, Namdhari FC and South United FC in Group A. The Red & Gold Brigade finished Runners-up on 11 occasions.
East Bengal won in 1951, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1978, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2004.
Finished Runners-up in 1957, 1964, 1968, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2023.
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal Media
