East Bengal FC is clubbed with Mohun Bagan SG and Hyderabad FC in Group A of Kalinga Super Cup which is scheduled from January 9 to 28, 2024 at Odisha. Top team as per the I-League 2023-24 standings after the matches on December 24, 2023 will be the fourth team in Group A.
The draw was conducted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) at the Football House in New Delhi on Monday.
Five I-League teams confirmed their participation in the Kalinga Super Cup – Gokulam Kerala FC, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Inter Kashi, and Rajasthan United FC.
The tournament will follow a similar format as the Super Cup 2023, with the top-ranked team from each group progressing to the semi-finals.
The winner will earn a ticket to the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2.
In the last edition, Odisha FC defeated Bengaluru FC in final at Kozhikode.
The participating teams will also be allowed to start their matches with a maximum of six foreign players on the pitch. In case more than five foreign participating players are selected in the Player Selection List, then at least one of these players must hold the nationality of a Member Association of the Asian Football Confederation.
This decision has been taken in view of the fact that winners of the Kalinga Super Cup will qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 2024-25. As per the AFC club competitions regulations in the 2023-24 season, each participating club may select up to six foreign players, with one of them being from a country that is a Member Association of the AFC.
Group A: East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan SG, Hyderabad FC, I-League 1
Group B: Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, I-League 2
Group C: Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, I-League 3
Group D: FC Goa, Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC, I-League 4 (winner of qualifying play-off)
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal FC Twitter
