Durand Cup 2026: Updated Group Standings after East Bengal FC vs South United FC match
East Bengal FC keep qualification hopes alive with clinical 5-0 victory, SC Delhi all but confirm knockout berth after dominant 7-0 win
East Bengal FC was clinical and dominant in their last group stage fixture of Durand Cup 2026 against the Bengaluru based club South United FC. The Torchbearers have defeated the Bengaluru side by 5-0 like last year at the Saltlake stadium, Kolkata on Friday evening, August 7, 2026 and their qualification hopes are still alive with this emphatic victory.
The Red and Gold Brigade could have scored more goals but it was a very good match practice for all the players before the all-important AFC clash on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
Dani Ramirez scored his first goal in East Bengal outfit, the other four goals were scored by captain Mohammed Rashid, Hardik Bhatt, Bipin Singh and David Lalhlansanga.
On the other hand in Group C, another ISL-side Sporting Delhi on their debut appearance in the prestigious Durand Cup registered consecutive victories. They have defeated the Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC by 7-0. With this win their qualification from Group C to the knockout stages is almost confirmed.
The 135th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup started on July 25, 2026 with the thrilling Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC and will conclude with the grand final on August 23, 2026.
Asia’s oldest football tournament and the world’s third-oldest surviving football competition this year is featuring 24 teams, including two foreign sides, across five host cities, reaffirming its enduring place at the heart of Indian football. The five host cities are Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong, with Ranchi making its debut as a host city in the competition’s history.
Matches are being played across six venues, with Kolkata hosting fixtures at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan, while Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will serve as the other host venues.
The top teams from each group will advance along with the two best runners-up.That being said, let us take a look at the standings of the six groups in the Durand Cup.
Group A
Teams in Group A
- Mohun Bagan SG
- East Bengal FC
- South United FC
- CISF Protectors
East Bengal FC after losing narrowly by 1-0 in the Kolkata Derby made a comeback in their next match against CISF Protectors and won the match by 8-0 to register their first win under new head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. East Bengal have registered another emphatic victory in their last group stage fixture of Durand Cup 2026.
They have defeated South United FC by 5-0 and their qualification hopes are still alive. They have a massive goal difference of (+12) which is the most positive sign for their qualification equation as one of the two best runner up from the six groups.
Mohun Bagan SG after winning the Kolkata Derby against their arch rivals East Bengal FC by 1-0 in the opening match of the Durand Cup registered a thumping win against the Bengaluru based club South United FC by 8-0 in their second home match at the Saltlake stadium. Manvir Singh scored a hattrick, while young Suhail Bhatt scored a brace, Alberto Rodriguez and Rahul Bheke scored one goal each and another goal was an own goal.
After two dominating performances, the Mariners have qualified for the Quarter Finals as the group toppers from Group A and are ready to show another strong performance under the guidance of their new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis against the CISF Protectors in their last home game.
On the other hand South United FC after defeating CISF by 2-0 in their first match was heavily defeated by the Mariners in their second match by 8-0. They couldn’t pass through the East Bengal hurdle and was heavily defeated again by the Moshal Brigade by 5-0 in their last group stage fixture. Thus the Bengaluru based club has been eliminated from this year’s Durand Cup.
CISF Protectors FT after losing back-back matches against South United and East Bengal by 2-0 and 8-0 will only play for pride in their last group match against the group toppers and strong Mohun Bagan Super Giant side.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Mohun Bagan SG (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| East Bengal FC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| South United FC (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | -12 | 3 |
| CISF Protectors FT (E) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 0 |
Group B
Teams in Group B
- Mohammedan SC
- Baghpat (Banaras) FC
- Indian Army
- Samaleswari Sporting
Indian Army FT won back-back matches against Samaleswari Sporting by 1-0 and against Baghpat FC by 4-0. Now they are the favourites from Group B to book their place in the next round after an emphatic victory against Baghpat FC on August 5,2026, at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in their second group stage fixture. But they still have to win their last group stage match against the Black Panthers, Mohammedan SC to confirm their place in the quarter finals.
Samaleswari Sporting from Odisha made their debut appearance in this year’s Durand Cup. After losing their first match against Indian Army by 1-0 won back-back matches against debutant Baghpat FC by 4-1 and against Mohammedan SC by 3-2 to end their Durand Cup campaign with 6 points and are currently sitting at the top of the Group B. They have to wait for other matches in this group to seal their qualification into the next round as two best runners-up will also qualify.
Mohammedan SC, another Kolkata Giant after being relegated from ISL last season, they will again play in the Indian Football League this year. They won against debutant Baghpat FC in their first 4-0 but lost narrowly by 4-3 in their second home game against the debutants from Odisha and current group toppers, Samaleswari Sporting. They have to win their last home game against Indian Army to stay alive in the qualification scenario of the next round.
Baghpat FC from Uttar Pradesh are another club in the list who made their debut in the Durand Cup 2026. The Banaras-based club secured the Durand Cup qualification after having won the I-League 3, but after losing all of their matches in the group stage and failed to show any promise in the tournament, got eliminated from Durand Cup 2026.
Thus group B, remains unpredictable, with several teams in contention for the knockout spot.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Indian Army FT | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Samaleswari Sporting | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Mohammedan SC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Baghpat (Banaras) FC (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
Group C
Teams in Group C
- Jamshedpur FC
- Sporting Club Delhi
- Defenders FC
- Indian Air Force FT
The ISL-side Sporting Club Delhi on their debut appearance in the Durand Cup 2026, after defeating Jamshedpur FC in the first match registered their second consecutive victory in the tournament. They have defeated the Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC by 7-0 in their second match and are now the front runners to qualify to the next round from Group C.
Jamshedpur FC, after winning their first game against debutant Defenders FC by 5-0 loses their second match against SC Delhi and now have to win their last group match to stay alive in the tournament.
Indian Air Force FT won their first match as well against the debutants Defenders FC by 2-1 and still have two matches left to show their quality and depth in this year’s Durand Cup as two best runners-up will also qualify.
Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC after losing all their matches on their debut in the Durand Cup have been eliminated from the tournament. The overseas side failed to show their quality in the tournament.
From Group C, the debutants, SC Delhi are the favourites to qualify for the next round.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Sporting Club Delhi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Jamshedpur FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Indian Air Force FT | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Defenders FC (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 14 | -13 | 0 |
Group D
Teams in Group D
- FC Raengdai
- Neroca FC
- TRAU FC
- Indian Navy FT
The club from NorthEast have impressed with their performances this season. As a result, they earned their spot in the Durand Cup. On their debut they won back-back matches against Indian Navy FT 1-0 and defeated Neroca FC narrowly by 4-3. They have qualified for the knockouts of the 135th Durand Cup on their debut appearance and showed their quality on the National stage.
On the other hand Indian Navy FT lost their first match against FC Raengdai by 1-0 but came back strong against Neroca FC in their second match at Imphal on August 5, 2026 and won the match 2-0. They still have chances to qualify for the knockouts if they win their last group match comprehensively. As two best runners-up will also qualify.
TRAU FC drew their first match against Neroca FC and lost against FC Raengdai in their second match so they will play for pride in their last match against Indian Navy FT.
Neroca FC drew their first match against TRAU FC and lost their second match at Imphal against Indian Navy FT by 2-0 on August 5, 2026. They are currently at the bottom of the points table in Group D and will only play for pride in their last match against debutant FC Raengdai.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| FC Raengdai (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Indian Navy FT | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| TRAU FC (E) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 1 |
| Neroca FC (E) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
Group E
Teams in Group E
- Shillong Lajong FC
- Langsning FC
- Mumbay FC
- Nongkseh SS & CC
Group E is full of debutants, as along with Shillong Lajong FC, there are three debutant teams that will feature in that group. Langsning FC is the club from Shillong with mainly local talents who have already registered their first win on their debut against another debutant from Mumbai, Mumbay FC.
They registered a dominating win against Mumbay FC by 5-0 in their first match. After a dominant victory in the first match they drew 2-2 against Nongkseh SS & CC in the second group stage fixture. They have to win their last match to qualify for the next round.
Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club, the current champions of the Meghalaya Premier League after losing their first match on their debut appearance in the Durand Cup came back strong and drew 2-2 against Langsning FC with two late goals on August 6, 2026 in their second group stage fixture.
They have very little chances of qualification to the next round until and unless something unsual happens in this group, otherwise they will play only for pride in their last group stage fixture against another debutant from Mumbai, Mumbay FC.
The Indian Football League side, Shillong Lajong FC have also won their first match against another debutant of this group Nongkseh Sports, Social & Cultural Club by 2-0.
On the other hand, Mumbay FC from Mumbai featuring Bollywood star Tiger Shroff in their squad lost their first match on their debut appearance in the Durand Cup 2026. They would like display some of their best performances in the next two matches to attract everyone in the National stage.
As this group is full of debutants, the only known team is the IFL-side Shillong Lajong FC, this group promises some great matchups as all the teams look to play their best brand of football on the national stage to get more attention.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Langsning FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Shillong Lajong FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Nongkseh SS & CC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
| Mumbay FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
Group F
Teams in Group F
- NorthEast United FC
- FC1
- Bodoland FC
- Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC
Bodoland FC after losing their first match against the defending champions NorthEast United FC by 6-0 registered a dominant victory against FC1 of Kashmir by 3-0. They still have a chance to qualify as one of the two best runners up if they win their last group stage match with a hefty goal difference.
On the other hand FC1, the football club from Kashmir was impressive on their debut appearance in the Durand Cup and won their first match against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC by 2-1 scoreline. But lost their second group stage match against Bodoland FC in the second half by 3-0 as after the first half it was all square. They also still have a chance to qualify as one of the two best runners up if they win their last group stage match with a hefty goal difference.
NorthEast United FC the defending champions of the Durand Cup started their campaign with a dominating win against Bodoland FC with a scoreline of 6-0. Their star Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a hattrick in the first match itself and announced his comeback into the Indian Football in style. He missed last season’s ISL and went on loan to Persija Jakarta from NorthEast United FC in January.
The Highlanders are considered to be the favourites from this group to qualify for the next round and would like to make it a hattrick of Durand Cup titles in their trophy cabinet. Their next two matches are on August 8 and August 11, 2026, against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC at 7 PM (IST) and FC1 at 4 PM (IST) respectively at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
On the other hand after defeat in the first match Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC would like to put up a good fight in their next two matches to create some panic in the Group F qualification scenario.
| Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| NorthEast United FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| FC1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Bodoland FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
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Dwaipayan Mandal holds dual degrees in Sports Management and Digital Marketing from IISWBM, Kolkata. A passionate football enthusiast, he follows the game across the globe, with East Bengal holding a special place in his heart. Beyond football, he enjoys cricket, golf, and tennis. With a keen interest in sports journalism and digital storytelling, Dwaipayan is committed to creating insightful content that connects with fans.