Top 3 teams that are favourites to win Durand Cup 2026
NorthEast United FC are the defending champions of Durand Cup
The Durand Cup 2026 will begin in Kolkata on July 25th before travelling across the five host cities over the following four weeks, culminating with the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 23rd.
As the date is coming close, the stakes are high, and the group stage has been revealed officially with the Kolkata Derby to kick off the tournament on July 25th.
And with the Durand Cup just around the corner, let us take a look at three teams that are the favourites to win the 135th edition of the Durand Cup.
NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United FC are one of the standout performers in the Durand Cup in the last couple of seasons. From the past few editions, they have played some beautiful brand of football in the Durand Cup as they won back-to-back titles and will look to secure their consecutive third Durand Cup trophy.
If they win this season’s Durand Cup, then that will mark a hat-trick of Durand Cup titles and will put them as one of the best team in the tournament’s history.
They have quietly established themselves as one of the most successful sides in Indian football. Last season, they defeated Diamond Harbour to lift the Durand Cup title with a lot of young players in the team and played in a very dominant way.
The Highlanders are known for their young talents in the squad, and even this season they have managed to sign a rising talent in Indian football, Pramveer Singh who is very capable of playing a good brand of football.
With a good blend of talented Indian youngsters and foreigners, NorthEast United FC are the ones who can be the team to win the title once more to complete a three peat.
Mohun Bagan SG
Mohun Bagan SG will look to clinch the Durand Cup title for the 18th time. They have won the title 17 times, which is a record, as East Bengal FC is just one behind them. But the Green and Marron side will not only look to win another title but also could eye a dominant campaign in the Durand Cup.
After a trophyless ISL season under Sergio Lobera, Mohun Bagan SG desperately needed a change, and it came as they have signed Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis as their new head coach.
Former Punjab FC head coach will now sit on the Mariners’ dugout and will eye to start the 2026-27 campaign with winning the Durand Cup title.
With latest recruitments in the squad, the Mariners are one of the strongest contenders to win the 135th edition of Durand Cup.
East Bengal FC
East Bengal FC are one of the most powerful and exciting side in the Durand Cup 2026. They are the ISL champions, making them the best team ahead of the Durand Cup 2026. The Red and Gold Brigade have won the title 16 times, just one title behind Mohun Bagan and will now aim to equal the trophy tally.
After the departure of Oscar Bruzon, they have now signed Antonio Lopez Habas ahead of the new season. A proven coach like him, who has previously managed Mohun Bagan and Inter Kashi FC and has ample amount of experience to win multiple trophies, will be a key for the East Bengal side heading into the 2026-27 season.
The Torchbearers have shown that they can handle pressure in big games as they will open their Durand Cup campaign against Mohun Bagan SG in a Kolkata Derby.
The new recruitments and the confidence carried from the previous season makes them one of the favourites to lift the Durand Cup 2026 trophy.
Which teams are the favourite to win the Durand Cup 2026?
East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan SG and NorthEast United FC are the favourites to lift the Durand Cup 2026 title.
When will the Durand Cup 2026 begin?
The 135th edition of the Durand Cup will begin on July 25, 2026, and conclude with the final on August 23, 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
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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.