Which teams are making their debut in Durand Cup 2026?
Nine debutants are set to feature in the Durand Cup
Durand Cup is the most decorated and one of the oldest football competitions in Asia. Many teams around the globe have come across to test their fate in the prestigious tournament.
This year marks a significant feat with nine teams making their maiden appearance in the iconic football tournament. Sporting Club Delhi, Mumbay FC, Baghpat FC, Samaleswari Sporting, Defenders FC of Sri Lankan Armed Forces, I-League 3 runner-up FC Raengdai, and Meghalaya Premier League champions Nongkseh Sports, Social and Cultural Club (SS&CC), Langsning FC and FC1.
Sporting Club Delhi, the newcomers in the Indian Super League, are the only ISL club to make their debut this time. Earlier, Hyderabad FC who are now known as SC Delhi played in the Durand Cup, but for the newly rebranded club it is their debut in this prestigious tournament.
In this article we take a look at the debutants of the Durand Cup 2026.
Sporting Club Delhi
Sporting Club Delhi will make its first appearance in the Durand Cup. After a good ISL debut season, the capital side is ready to turn the tables as they have drawn in Group C along with Jamshedpur FC. They will begin their campaign against the Men of Steel.
While Hyderabad FC had previously featured in the Durand Cup, this will mark the first appearance for the club under its new identity as SC Delhi.
The rebranded club will be eager to begin this new chapter with a strong performance in Indiaâs oldest football tournament.
Baghpat FC
Baghpat FC from Uttar Pradesh are another club in the list who are ready to make their debut in the Durand Cup. In the domestic competitions, they have been one of the most exciting projects to look out for.
The Banaras-based club secured the Durand Cup qualification after having won the I-League 3. With an average age of 22 years in the squad, they will be ready to prove themselves and make a name for Baghpat FC.
Samaleswari Sporting
From Odisha FC, there is a club that will make history by representing in the Durand Cup for the very first time. Samaleswari Sporting, who have been drawn in Group B are set to face a proven side like Mohammedan SC at their home.
The Odisha side will kick off the Group B game against Indian Army FT on 26th July from 19:30 IST at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. It is a historical moment for them as they might bring something different to the group.
Defenders FC
A foreign club is here to make a difference in the Durand Cup for the first time. Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC are one of the most interesting sides that can create a good impact in the Durand Cup.
They are overseas participants who have been drawn in Group C along with two ISL clubs. Defenders FC will lock horns in their first match against Jamshedpur FC on July 26th and then face Sporting Club Delhi on 7th August. This could be a stern test for both the ISL sides as they will be facing an unfamiliar opponent.
FC Raengdai
The club from NorthEast have impressed with their performances this season. As a result, they earned their spot in the Durand Cup. As they are in Group D along with Neroca and TRAU FC, there will be some interesting games to watch.
FC Raengdai is known for developing local talents. But now they have the chance to showcase their potential with those talented players.
Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club
They are the champions of the Meghalaya Premier League, and thatâs why they secured their spot in the Durand Cup 2026.
Playing at home against Shillong Lajong FC in their first opener will be historical. As they will face the IFL side on 31st July.
Mumbay FC
Mumbay FC will represent Mumbai in the 135th edition of the Durand Cup. With local talents from Mumbai, they will march on and look to test their opponents as they will face all Shillong sides in Group E.
They will begin their campaign against another newcomers Langsning FC on 3rd August.
Langsning FC
Group E is full of debutants, as along with Shillong Lajong FC, there are three debutant teams that will feature in that group. This will promise some great matchups as all the teams look to play their best brand of football on the national stage to get more attention.
Langsning FC is the club from Shillong that will be there to test many teams with their proven local talents. They have produced some good footballers for the state, which has helped them to grow in football.
FC1
The football club from Kashmir is ready to take action in the Durand Cup for the first time as they have been featured in Group F. Along with the defending champions NorthEast United FC, they have teams like Karbi Anglong Morning Star and Bodoland FC.
FC1 Kashmir will make history by participating in the Durand Cup for the first time and look to make the most of it by playing their brand of football.
How many debutant teams are playing in the Durand Cup 2026?
A total of nine teams will make their debut in the 135th edition of the Durand Cup: Sporting Club Delhi, Baghpat FC, Samaleswari Sporting, Defenders FC, FC Raengdai, Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club (SS&CC), Mumbay FC, Langsning FC, and FC1 Kashmir.
Which foreign team is making its debut in the Durand Cup 2026?
A. Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces are the only overseas debutants in the 2026 edition of the Durand Cup.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.