IWL 2025-26 Round 4 preview: Garhwal United FC face NITA FA challenge, East Bengal FC welcome SESA FA

The IWL Round 4 fixtures has some red-hot teams going head-to-head.

The fourth round of the 2025-26 season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) promises to deliver some exciting action as matches kicks off on Tuesday. 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 three rounds of scheduled contests have seen a major shake up in the IWL league standings. As teams get ready to record three important points in the upcoming rounds, let us take a look at the Round 4 fixtures:

Round 4 Fixtures of IWL 2025-26:

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

Garhwal United FC vs NITA FA

Third placed Garhwal United FC will be welcoming league leaders NITA FA on Tuesday as they look to get back to winning ways. Garhwal are coming off a 2-1 loss against East Bengal FC while free scoring NITA FA are coming off a 0-5 win against Kickstart Karnataka FC.

It will be a fascinating encounter between two sides high up in the IWL standings. The visitors will be looking to scalp and score more goals to beef up their goal difference in what will be a game of huge significance on the IWL league table.

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Sribhumi FC vs Sethu FC

Sribhumi FC will be playing their third game of the campaign on Tuesday as they welcome Sethu FC in Round 4. The home side are flying high this season and are coming fresh off a 1-0 win over SESA FA in Round 3.

The visitors will be desperate to get back to winning ways having drawn 1-1 with Gokulam Kerala FC in the previous round. A clash between two sides who have started their campaign on different levels, present an intriguing encounter for IWL fans.

East Bengal FC vs SESA FA

The defending IWL champions will be looking to record three wins on the bounce for the first time this season when they play SESA FA in Round 4. In their last game, East Bengal FC managed to get all three points against Garhwal United FC courtesy of goals from Sulanjana Raul and Fazila Ikwaput.

SESA, who lost 1-0 in their Round 3 game against Sethu FC, will be desperate for some positivity when they welcome the defending champions East Bengal on Tuesday. A win for the visitors will allow them to put behind the disappointment of results from earlier rounds.

Gokulam Kerala FC vs Kickstart Karnataka FC

Gokulam Kerala FC will be desperate for a win when they face a struggling Kickstart Karnataka FC on Tuesday. The Malabarians will be counting their lucky stars after Muskan Subba scored the Equalizer for her side in stoppage time to spare them blushes against Sethu FC.

The visitors have been poor in front of goal this season, having only scored one goal in three rounds, while conceding eight goals this season. A win for Kickstart Karnataka FC will be a huge morale boost for a side lacking in confidence to be competitive in games this season.

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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