IWL 2025-26 Round 3 preview: East Bengal FC face Garhwal United FC test with bragging rights at stake

The IWL Round 3 fixtures has a huge top-of-the-title clash on Saturday.

The third round of the 2025-26 season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) promises to deliver some exciting fixtures as the action kicks off on Saturday. Eight clubs began their bid for top honours with fixtures at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata and Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Round 1.

The season’s first two rounds of scheduled contests has poised the season nicely as some teams have got the early spring on their competition. As teams get ready to record three important points in the upcoming rounds, let us take a look at the Round 3 fixtures:

Round 3 Fixtures of IWL 2025-26:

• East Bengal FC vs Garhwal United FC
• Kickstart Karnataka FC vs NITA FA
• Sethu FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC
• Sribhumi FC vs SESA FA

East Bengal FC vs Garhwal United FC

The defending IWL champions will be looking to record back-to-back wins this season and halt newly promoted Garhwal United FC’s momentum in Round 3 on Saturday. In their opening game, East Bengal FC managed to get all three points against Sethu FC courtesy of Soumya Guguloth’s 78th minute strike.

Garhwal United FC will be looking to build on their early advantage this season following back-to-back wins over SESA FA and Kickstart Karnataka FC in earlier rounds. The visitors will be keen to add to their brilliant start this term and notch a statement win over the defending champions.

ALSO READ: IWL 2025-26: NITA FA rout SESA, Sribhumi score four past Gokulam Kerala FC as East Bengal kick off with win

Kickstart Karnataka FC vs NITA FA

The second game of the Round will see Kickstart Karnataka FC take on NITA FA, with the home side looking to open their account in the IWL this term. Kickstart, a club who has lost both their games this season against Sethu FC and Garhwal United FC have had a tough start to their season.

Coming off the back of their 6-1 win over SESA FA, NITA FA are in red hot scoring streak and looking forward to facing Kickstart Karnataka FC on Saturday. A win for NITA will only further fuel their confidence, while a win for Kickstart will be a huge boost of confidence after a slow start

Sethu FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC

Fifth placed Sethu FC welcome sixth placed Gokulam Kerala FC on Saturday, with both sides looking to leapfrog the other or extend their advantage. The home side are coming off a narrow 1-0 loss against East Bengal FC, while the visitors are coming off a 0-4 loss against Sribhumi FC.

A mid-table clash between two sides looking to move past the doom and gloom of their Round 2 results, a win for either side will be significant as they look to play catch-up early on in the IWL.

Sribhumi FC vs SESA FA

Sribhumi FC will be playing their second game of the campaign following the postponement of their Round 1 game against East Bengal FC. The visitors will be keen to add to the bright start to their campaign with a positive result against a battered SESA FA, who are coming fresh off a 6-1 thrashing from NITA FA.

SESA, who lost 3-1 in their Round 1 game against newly promoted Garhwal United FC, will be keen to open their account against Sribhumi FC on Saturday. A win for the visitors will allow them to put behind the disappointment of results from earlier rounds.

IWL 2025-26 format

The 2025-26 IWL season is structured in two phases, with the first running through January 2026, allowing players to balance club commitments with national team responsibilities ahead of continental tournaments. A mid-season break will precede Phase 2, scheduled for April 20 to May 10, 2026, ensuring seamless preparation for India’s senior and U-20 women’s sides.

Across all eight clubs — including stalwarts such as Gokulam Kerala and East Bengal as well as determined newcomers like Garhwal United and SESA FA — the IWL promises a vibrant mix of experience, youth, and competitive spirit. With several storylines already emerging, including title defence ambitions and debutant dreams, this season is set to be a compelling chapter in Indian women’s football.

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