The oldest existing club competition in Asia, the Durand Cup is back with it's 132nd edition and is set to be played between August 3 to September 3. The tournament will be played across Kolkata, Guwahati and Kokrajhar, with the majority of the games being played at the capital of West Bengal. So we've listed some important things like groups, fixtures, venues and streaming information for you to keep an eye on in this "Everything you need to now about Durand Cup 2023" segment.

Also read : Indian Football at the Asian Games: The History

Durand Cup 2023 Tournament structure

24 teams are gonna be participating in the Durand Cup. Six groups of four teams have been created with teams in the  A, B, C groups is structured to play most of their games in Kolkata. Kolkata is going to be the only co-host where multiple games are gonna be played.

Durand Cup 2023 Groups

Group A

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

East Bengal FC

Roundglass Punjab

Bangladesh Army Team

Group B

Mohammedan Sporting

Mumbai City FC

Jamshedpur FC

Indian Navy

Group C

Bengaluru FC

Kerala Blasters

Gokulam Kerala

Indian Air Force

Group D

North East United

FC Goa

Shillong Lajong

Downtown Heroes FC

Group E

Delhi FC

Hyderabad FC

Chennaiyan FC

Tribhuvan Army FC

Group F

Bodoland Team

Odisha FC

Rajasthan United

Indian Army

Durand Cup 2023 Venues

1.Group A, B and C - Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata 

2.Group D & Group E - Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati 

3.Group F - SAI STC Kokrajhar, Kokrajhar

Durand Cup 2023 Fixtures

The Fixtures of Durand Cup 2023 is in the above picture. The final, as stated before too, is gonna take place at Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.

Durand Cup 2023 Live Streaming information

The live coverage of all the Durand Cup matches and the Durand Cup final is gonna be steamed on Sports18 (1), Sports18 (1HD), and Sports18 (Khel TV), if you're gonna watch on television. If you're a fan of online streaming, you can also watch it on VOOT and JioTV.

Durand Cup Winner's List Post Independence

2022 Bengaluru FC 2-1 Mumbai City FC
2021 Goa 1-0 (AET) Mohammedan
2019 Gokulam Kerala 2-1 Mohun Bagan
2016 Army Green 0-0 (AET) (6-5 penalties) NEROCA
2014 Salgaocar 1-0 Pune
2013 Mohammedan 2-1 ONGC
2012 Air India 0-0 (AET) (3-2 penalties) Dodsal
2011 Churchill Brothers 0-0 (AET) (5-4 penalties) Prayag United
2010 United 1-0 JCT
2009 Churchill Brothers 3-1 (AET) Mohun Bagan
2008 Mahindra United 3-2 (AET) Churchill Brothers
2007 Churchill Brothers 1-0 Mahindra United
2006 Dempo 1-0 JCT
2005 Army XI 0-0 (AET) (5-4 penalties) Sporting Goa
2004 East Bengal 2-1 Mohun Bagan
2003 Salgaocar 1-1 (AET) (4-3 penalties) East Bengal
2002 East Bengal 3-0 Army XI
2001 Mahindra United 5-0 Churchill Brothers
2000 Mohun Bagan 1-1 (golden goal) Mahindra United
1999 Salgaocar 0-0 (AET) (3-2 penalties) East Bengal
1998 Mahindra and Mahindra 2-1 East Bengal
1997 Kochin 3-1 Mohun Bagan
1996 JCT 1-0 Iraq Al-Naft
1995 East Bengal 0-0 (AET) (4-3 penalties) Tata Football Academy
1994 Mohun Bagan 1-0 East Bengal
1993 East Bengal 1-0 Punjab State Electricity Board
1992 JCT 1-0 Mohammedan
1991 East Bengal 1-1 (AET) (5-3 penalties) Border Security Force
1990 East Bengal 3-2 Mahindra and Mahindra
1989 East Bengal 0-0 (AET) (3-1 penalties) Mohun Bagan
1988 Border Security Force 3-2 East Bengal
1987 JCT 1-0 Mohun Bagan
1986 Mohun Bagan 1-0 East Bengal
1985 Mohun Bagan 0-0 (AET) and (3-2 penalties) JCT
1984 Mohun Bagan 1-0 East Bengal
1983 JCT 1-1 (AET) and 2-1 Mohun Bagan
1982 Mohun Bagan and East Bengal 0-0 (AET) -
1981 Border Security Force 1-0 JCT
1980 Mohun Bagan 1-0 Mohammedan
1979 Mohun Bagan 1-0 Punjab Police
1978 East Bengal 3-0 Mohun Bagan
1977 Mohun Bagan 1-1 (AET) and 2-1 JCT
1976 Border Security Force and JCT 1-1 (AET) and 0-0 (AET) -
1975 Border Security Force 1-0 JCT
1974 Mohun Bagan 3-2 JCT
1973 Border Security Force 2-1 Rajasthan Armed Constabulary
1972 East Bengal 0-0 (AET) and 1-0 Mohun Bagan
1971 Border Security Force 0-0 (AET) and 1-0 Leaders Club
1970 East Bengal 2-0 Mohun Bagan
1969 Gorkha Brigade 1-0 Border Security Force
1968 Border Security Force 1-0 East Bengal
1967 East Bengal 1-0 Bengal Nagpur Railway
1966 Gorkha Brigade 2-0 Sikh Regimental Centre
1965 Mohun Bagan 2-0 Punjab Police
1964 Mohun Bagan 2-0 East Bengal
1963 Mohun Bagan 0-0 (AET) and 2-0 Andhra Pradesh Police
1962 Tournament not held, due to Sino-Indian War
1961 Andhra Pradesh Police 1-0 Mohun Bagan
1960 Mohun Bagan and East Bengal 1-1 (AET) and 0-0 (AET) -
1959 Mohun Bagan 1-1 (AET) and 3-1 Mohammedan
1958 Madras Regimental Centre 1-1 (AET) and 2-0 Gorkha Brigade
1957 Hyderabad City Police 2-1 East Bengal
1956 East Bengal 2-0 Hyderabad City Police
1955 Madras Regimental Centre 0-0 (AET), 0-0 (AET) and 3-2 Indian Air Force
1954 Hyderabad City Police 1-1 (AET) and 1-0 Hindustan Aircraft Limited
1953 Mohun Bagan 4-0 National Defence Academy
1952 East Bengal 1-0 Hyderabad City Police
1951 East Bengal 1-1 (AET) and 2-1 Rajasthan Armed Constabulary
1950 Hyderabad City Police 2-2 (AET) and 1-0 (AET) Mohun Bagan.

National Football team coach Manolo Marquez has decided to resign after team's poor performance against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Manolo Marquez, who could not even beat a weak team like Hong Kong, which is 26th behind the Indian team in the FIFA rankings, mailed his resignation to the federation the night after the match. The federation has decided to officially announce the resignation of the national coach around Wednesday afternoon.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

India’s hopes of qualifying are now precarious

Indian men’s football has endured a challenging 18 months, marked by a single victory in 16 matches since the start of 2024. A 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday exacerbated the situation, bringing the team’s struggles into sharp focus.

Fan discontent with head coach Igor Stimac’s successor, Manolo Marquez, have intensified after a string of demoralising losses, including three consecutive goalless games against Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong, leaving fans questioning the team’s ability. India’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asia Cup are now precarious, and speculation surrounds Marquez’s future.

Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation

Rumours of Marquez’s potential resignation had already started doing the rounds as sources suggest that the Spaniard, who replaced Stimac in July 2024, is contemplating stepping down within a year of his appointment.

However, an All India Football Federation (AIFF) source confirmed Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation. The federation awaits official communication from him regarding his intentions but that too many not be simple.

“He can do so only after mutual agreement, that the AIFF gives him permission to part ways," an AIFF source said.

“We have not got any request in writing from Manolo that he wants to leave from the job. We can apply our mind only after he informs us what he wants," the source added.

India must win their remaining four matches

India must win their remaining four matches to maintain any hope of qualification, currently languishing at the bottom of their group. While home and away fixtures against Singapore are scheduled for the October international break, Marquez’s presence for those games remains uncertain.

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the best of Indian football at the AIFF Awards 2025, held today in Bhubaneswar, honouring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and member associations for their contributions during the 2024-25 season.

The ceremony highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian football, with Mohun Bagan SG’s Subhasish Bose and East Bengal FC’s Soumya Guguloth crowned Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. 

AIFF Awards 2025 Winners

Individual Awards

• Men's Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG, Defender)
  • Recognised for his leadership as captain and stellar performances for Mohun Bagan SG as the mariners became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, along with reclaiming the ISL Cup. Bose kept 13 clean sheets as a defender and scored 6 goals as well. 
• Women's Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal FC, Forward)
  • Honoured as the top Indian scorer in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and a key player for the Blue Tigresses. She helped East Bengal FC win the IWL 2024-25 title.
• Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan SG)
  • Awarded for holding the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League (ISL) history. Kaith had a record 15 clean sheets in ISL 2024-25 and conceded only 19 goals across 26 appearances
• Most Promising Men's Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (Midfielder)
  • Noted for his midfield mastery and potential as a rising star.
• Most Promising Women's Player of the Year: Neha (Haryana, Winger)
  • Recognised for her performances, including 2 goals in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship and 3 goals in the Senior Women’s National Championship.
• Men's Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
  • Won for the second consecutive year for leading Jamshedpur FC to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.
• Women's Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sreebhumi FC)
  • Awarded for guiding newly-promoted Sreebhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
  • Acknowledged for consistent officiating on the pitch.
• Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
  • Recognised for her officiating excellence.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
• Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P

Member Association (MA) Awards

• Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
  • For dominance in men’s competitions, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal winning major titles.
• Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association
  • Recognised for success in the National Football Championships.
• Best MA for Supporting Women’s Football: Punjab Football Association
  • Honoured for contributions to women’s football development.
• Best MA for Hosting Most AIFF Competitions: Football Association of Odisha and Goa Football Association
  • For hosting numerous AIFF events.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Men’s): Kerala Football Association
  • For the highest number of male player registrations.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
  • For leading in female player registrations.
• Special Award for MA Launching New Projects: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For innovative football initiatives.
• MA with Most Grassroots Activities: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For extensive grassroots programs.
• MA with Most Youth Tournaments Conducted: Karnataka State Football Association
  • For organising numerous youth tournaments.
• MA with Most Coaching Courses: Punjab Football Association
  • For conducting the most coaching courses.
• MA with Most Refereeing Courses: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For leading in referee training programs.

Whether with Bhowanipur Club or East Bengal, Sandipan Das has consistently helped his teams win trophies. After achieving numerous victories, including a treble last year with Bhowanipur, the former ICC U-19 World Cup winner is now on the brink of delivering East Bengal's first league trophy in a decade.

Following his man-of-the-match performance in the semi-final against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, Sandipan Das shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point. 

"The winning mentally is there since childhood"

For Sandipan, playing in the final of a championship or winning it is not new; he has been securing trophies since his U-13 days. The Bengal all-rounder attributes his winning mentality to his childhood coach, Debesh Chakraborty, who instilled this mindset in him from an early age.

“I have been winning trophies since childhood. Whether it was the Ambar Roy tournament in U-13s or any other competition, I've always been part of champion teams. Thanks to Debesh Sir, who took me to play in those tournaments, the winning mentality has stayed with me throughout my career,” Sandipan Das told Sportz Point.

Read Also | Bengal Ranji Team in Last Three Seasons: 13 opening combinations, 22 debutants and many more numbers

"If 100 is not enough, I need to score 150"

After contributing to India's victory in the ICC U-19 World Cup under Unmukt Chand in 2012, Sandipan was fast-tracked into the Bengal team. Just a month after the World Cup, he made his List A debut, followed by his First-Class and T20 debuts.

However, despite showing promise, he struggled to make a significant impact for Bengal and has not played a single game since January 2015. Although he has excelled in the club format and helped his teams win titles nearly every season, Sandipan found himself out of the state team.

"It has been a long time since I played for Bengal. But I do not want to blame anyone for that. I believe I should score 150 if 100 is not enough. That has been my motive. I want to improve every day as a cricketer and leave the rest to God," Sandipan expressed.

"This attitude has also helped me win for my teams. If I think 100 is enough, I might become complacent and get out. Or if I feel that taking just two wickets suffices, I might bowl a loose over. There is no room for complacency in cricket," he added.

A perfect example of this mindset occurred during Sandipan's innings for East Bengal against Mohun Bagan in the C.A.B. First Division Championship semi-final. The match was evenly poised after the first day, and one mistake from Sandipan could have tipped the scales in favor of Mohun Bagan.

At the start of Day 2, Sandipan believed they could reach 450 runs. However, after losing partners, he decided to focus on taking the game deep, even if it meant not scoring a century. Eventually, East Bengal finished with 408 runs, and Sandipan remained unbeaten on 108.

Read Also | Batting, bowling & captaincy - Sandipan Das is ready for a rebirth at the first-class level | Bengal Cricket Exclusive

Monayem+Sandipan = Success in Kolkata Club Cricket

Such patience and attitude of Sandipan did not develop overnight; they are the result of years of practice, dedication, and guidance from his coaches. In addition to his childhood coach, Abdul Monayem has been a constant support for Sandipan for over a decade.

Monayem is one of the most successful coaches in Kolkata club cricket, who led Bhowanipur Club to three league titles in recent years. Sandipan thrived under Monayem’s guidance, which not only helped him grow as a cricketer but also as a captain of the team.

Currently the coach of East Bengal, Monayem brought Sandipan to join the team this year, aiming for more trophies together. The success in the P. Sen Trophy and reaching the league final after nearly a decade is a testament to their strong camaraderie.

"He (Abdul Monayem) is like a mentor to me. I have been playing under him for more than ten years now. He knows me very well, and I understand his expectations. Sometimes he is like a big brother; other times, he is a friend with a supportive hand on my shoulder. This relationship has allowed him to bring out the best in the players," Sandipan shared.

"Players like Abhishek Das, Agniv Pan, and many others have been together for many years now. This group, under Abdul (Monayem) Sir, has consistently achieved great things because he understands each player, and as a team, we strive to do our best," Sandipan added.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "We all know this game can make us heroes to the fans," East Bengal's Satyaki Dutta ahead of Kolkata Derby

"I enjoy being around the young kids"

In addition to being one of the top batting all-rounders in Bengal, Sandipan runs a coaching center. This initiative allows him to switch his focus from his own cricketing career and share his knowledge with the next generation.

"I believe this brings out a different side of me. Working with kids and teaching them the basics of cricket is something I love. I truly enjoy being with them," Sandipan stated.

"During my childhood, I did not have access to many facilities here in Jagaddal, so I try to give them as much as I can and share my knowledge," he concluded.