East Bengal lock horns with Indian Army FT in the second quarterfinal of the 2026 Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, with a semifinal spot on the line. The Torchbearers arrive full of confidence after a historic AFC Champions League Two comeback, while two time champions Indian Army FT know a genuine upset is well within their reach given their perfect group stage record.
East Bengal vs Indian Army FT Fixture Details
Here’s what fans need to know before this knockout clash.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Durand Cup 2026, Quarterfinal 2 |
| Date | Sunday, August 16, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata |
(Source: Khel Now)
How Both Sides Reached the Quarterfinals
East Bengal and Indian Army FT arrive here via very different routes through the group stage.
East Bengal: After losing their opening match 1-0 to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal responded with two dominant wins, an 8-0 thrashing of CISF Protectors and a 5-0 win over South United FC. Those results and a goal difference of plus 12 helped them qualify as one of the best second placed teams from Group A.
Indian Army FT: The two time Durand Cup champions have been the more consistent side, topping Group B with nine points from three matches. They won all three group games, beating Samaleswari Sporting 1-0, Baghpat FC 4-0 and Mohammedan SC 2-1 to confirm their spot in the knockouts.
The Stakes: East Bengal Ride Continental Momentum
Both sides go into this quarterfinal with plenty riding on the outcome.
East Bengal: The Torchbearers arrive on the back of a stunning 4-1 win over Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi SC in the AFC Champions League Two qualifier, completing a historic second half and extra time comeback to become the only Indian club to qualify for that competition’s group stage this year. They’ve scored 13 goals in three Durand Cup group matches, with PV Vishnu, Edmund Lalrindika, Jesin TK, Bipin Singh and others all in good form.
A dominant win here would seal their semifinal spot and further validate head coach Antonio Lopez Habas’ system, while a loss or draw would be an unwanted setback before their ACL Two group stage campaign and the new ISL season.
Indian Army FT: Having been dominant and impressive throughout the group stage, Indian Army FT now face a considerably tougher test. They’ll need extremely sturdy defensive discipline and full concentration to neutralise East Bengal’s star studded attack, while also being clinical in front of goal themselves. A win would be a huge statement given their group stage form, but defeat ends their Durand Cup 2026 campaign.
Team News
Here’s the latest on both squads heading into kickoff.
- East Bengal’s new Spanish defender Nacho Monsalve is injured and will miss the match.
- Mohammed Rashid has a slight cramp but is fit to play.
- Boris Singh and Danish Farooq are recovering from their respective injuries, though the rest of East Bengal’s squad is fully fit.
- Indian Army FT should have a fully fit unit available for selection.
(Source: Khel Now)
Head to Head Record: A Rare Rematch Two Decades in the Making
This will be the second time these two sides have met in the Durand Cup, with their last meeting coming way back in 2003.
| Record | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 1 |
| East Bengal wins | 1 |
| Indian Army FT (then Army XI) wins | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
(Source: Khel Now)
That solitary meeting came in the 2002-03 Durand Cup final, when East Bengal defeated Army XI 3-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi to clinch their 15th title, with goals from Mike Okoro, Kalia Kulothungan and Douglas da Silva.
Predicted Lineups for the Durand Cup Quarterfinal
Here’s how both sides are expected to line up in Kolkata.
| East Bengal (4-2-3-1) | Indian Army FT (4-4-2) |
|---|---|
| Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (GK) | Bhabindra Malla Thakuri (GK) |
| Hardik Bhatt | Pardeep Singh |
| Jay Gupta | Sunil B |
| Anwar Ali | Shafeel PP |
| Sandip Mandi | Abhishek Shankar |
| Mohammed Rashid | Saikhom Borish Singh |
| Dani Ramirez | Lethaolen Khongsai |
| Jeakson Singh | Shubham Rana |
| Edmund Lalrindika | Chabin Rabha |
| Bipin Singh | Samir Murmu |
| PV Vishnu | P. Christopher Kamei |
(Source: Khel Now)
Players to Watch in the Quarterfinal Showdown
Two midfield playmakers could end up deciding this match.
Mohammed Rashid (East Bengal): The Palestinian midfielder has proved himself one of East Bengal’s best recruits, with his physical presence, attacking movement and shooting ability making him a genuine game changer. He was in excellent form in the AFC Champions League Two qualifier against Al-Arabi SC, scoring a brilliant goal and providing an assist. His late runs into the box and ability to support the attacking line will make him a key threat that Indian Army’s defence needs to track closely.
P. Christopher Kamei (Indian Army FT): The experienced midfielder has already scored twice this Durand Cup, including a stunning free kick against Samaleswari Sporting and another against Mohammedan SC. Dangerous from set pieces and capable of dictating attacks from midfield, he represents Indian Army’s biggest attacking threat and one East Bengal’s defenders will need to closely monitor.
Did You Know
A few notable facts add extra context to this quarterfinal clash.
- Indian Army FT, then known as Army XI, lost 3-0 to East Bengal in the 2002-03 Durand Cup final, East Bengal’s 15th title triumph.
- Various Indian Armed Forces teams have won the Durand Cup post-independence, with Indian Army FT champions in 2005 and 2016, making them one of the most successful military sides in the competition.
- East Bengal have won the Durand Cup 16 times, second only to Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s 17 titles.
Where to Watch East Bengal vs Indian Army FT
Fans can catch the match through the following broadcast options.
- Streaming: Sony LIV
- TV: Sony Ten 2
(Source: Khel Now)
FootballMint’s Durand Cup 2026 live streaming and TV guide has the full broadcaster list for every fixture across the tournament.
East Bengal Look to Carry Continental Momentum Into a Historic Rematch Against Indian Army FT
East Bengal’s attacking form and recent AFC Champions League Two heroics make them favourites heading into this rare rematch, more than two decades on from their 2003 final meeting. Indian Army FT’s perfect group stage record and the goal scoring threat of Christopher Kamei give them every reason to believe an upset is possible, but East Bengal’s star studded attack, led by Mohammed Rashid and PV Vishnu, will take some stopping at Salt Lake Stadium tonight.
