New Delhi [India]: The group stage draw for the upcoming 133rd edition of the Indian Oil Durand Cup 2024 football tournament was unveiled on Thursday, promising a slate of exciting matchups.
Interestingly, defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, the two finalists from the previous edition, have been drawn together in the same group, as per a press release from Indian Super League (ISL).
Scheduled to commence on July 27, 2024, the tournament will feature 24 teams, including those from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and invitational teams from the Armed Forces. Notably, international teams will also feature with Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC and Bangladesh Army Football Team, both returning from the previous edition.
This year, Jamshedpur and Shillong join Kokrajhar and Kolkata as host cities, with each hosting group stage fixtures. Kolkata, the main venue, will host three groups, while Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar will each host one group.
The tournament will follow a round-robin league format with knockout stages, culminating in the finals at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In total, 43 matches will be played and the top teams from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the knockout phase.
Here are the groups:
Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, Downtown Heroes FC
Group B (Kolkata): Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy FT, Mohammedan SC
Group C (Kolkata): Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, CISF Protectors FT
Group D (Jamshedpur): Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army FT, Bangladesh Army FT
Group E (Kokrajhar): Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, BSF FT
Group F (Shillong): FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Tribhuvan Army FC.