Super Cup: East Bengal's record over the years

East Bengal have reached the Super Cup final for the third time in history.

With no ISL, I-League, or domestic leagues in India, the 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup is the country’s sole significant competition.

A month after the group stage concluded, the semi-finals got underway, and East Bengal breezed past Punjab FC 3-1 to secure their spot in the competition’s finals. Mohammed Rashid, Kevin Sibille, and Saul Crespo all scored goals for the Red and Gold Brigade.

They will face defending champions and hosts FC Goa in the competition’s finals. With a potential title and AFC slot up for grabs, let’s take a look at East Bengal’s Super Cup history since the inaugural edition in 2018.

2018 – Runners-Up

East Bengal failed to find success in the Super Cup’s inaugural season after it was renamed the Federation Cup, losing to Bengaluru FC in the final.

Headed by current Indian head coach Khalid Jamil, the Red and Gold Brigade finished fourth in the I-League. They had a fantastic start in the Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over ISL side Mumbai City in the round of 16.

They then defeated Aizawl FC and FC Goa in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. However, they were totally beaten in the finals by Bengaluru FC, who won their first Super Cup championship with a 4-1 victory.

2019 – Withdrawn

East Bengal were one of the seven I-League clubs that withdrew from the 2019 edition in protest against the AIFF.

The I-League clubs cited “unfair treatment of I-League clubs” as the reason for their withdrawal, as all 10 ISL clubs were given direct entry into the Round of 16. The 7 participating I-League clubs had to play a qualifying round.

2020-2022 – Competition suspended due to pandemic

2023 – Group Stage

East Bengal FC, led by former Indian NT head coach Stephen Constantine, were placed in Group B to compete alongside Odisha FC, Hyderabad FC, and Aizawl FC. The Red and Gold Brigade finished third in the standings, four points behind group toppers and hosts Odisha FC.

The campaign began with a 1-1 tie against Odisha FC, which was followed by a 3-3 tie with Hyderabad FC. Their last encounter with Aizawl FC of the I-League likewise resulted in a 1-1 tie.

To their credit, they finished the campaign undefeated, with three draws in three matches. However, with only the table toppers eligible for advancement to the following round, a win or two was necessary, and they completed the season trophyless.

2024 – Winners

East Bengal were placed alongside Mohun Bagan, Sreenidi Deccan FC & Hyderabad FC in Group A of the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup.

They went undefeated in the group stage, winning three of three games, including a derby victory against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG. They were slated to play Jamshedpur FC in the semi-finals, whom they easily defeated 2-0.

They faced Odisha FC in the finals. Although Jahouh’s penalty in the final minute of stoppage time sent the game to extra time, Cleiton Silva’s goal in the 111th minute remained the difference between the two teams. Carles Cuadrat led the Torch Bearers to their first major triumph in 12 years, previously winning the Federation Cup in 2012.

2025 – Round of 16

Oscar Bruzon’s first cup tournament assignment as East Bengal’s manager ended disastrously, as the Kerala Blasters defeated them in the opening game.

With the game being the first for the opposing new head coach, David Catala, Oscar Bruzon’s side had been anticipated to perform better; however, they failed to capitalise and lost 2-0.

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