The 135th edition of the Durand Cup is all set to kick off from July 25. Speaking ahead of the tournament, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/messi-has-a-great-team-maradona-didnt-23640344" rel="nofollow">former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia</a> said that the Durand Cup is a prestigious event and has also requested to schedule one of the group matches in Siliguri, a city with a strong footballing connection.
He is also hopeful that the big clubs would participate in the upcoming tournament with the support of the Bengal government.
"I think it is a very good initiative because the Durand Cup is the second-oldest tournament in the world and a very expensive tournament. I hope that as we get the support of the Bengal Government, all the big clubs would play. It's the second-oldest tournament in the world. It's such a prestigious tournament. We've also grown up playing the game. I have to request that one of the group matches of the Durand Cup be held here in Siliguri," he told the reporters.
The marquee tournament will be played from July 25 to August 23, which will see 24 teams across six groups participating. It will be hosted in five cities: Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati, and will witness India's top clubs, Services teams, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/web-stories/luka-modric-to-continue-another-season-with-ac-milan-8116" rel="nofollow">football</a> institutions, and international participation.
Kolkata, known as the home of the Durand Cup since 2019, will once again occupy centre stage by hosting Groups A and B, the tournament opener, two quarter-finals, the first semi-final and the final.
<h2>FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain's iconic triumph against Argentina</h2>
Recently, football fans across the world witnessed <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/spain-star-rodri-to-undergo-back-surgery-at-wc-heroics-23641321" rel="nofollow">Spain</a>'s iconic triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The side secured a 1-0 win in the final against Argentina.
In the title clash of the marquee event, a late goal from Ferran Torres helped Spain to emerge victorious at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. This was the second time that Spain has clinched the elusive showpiece.
England managed to secure a 6-4 win against France in the third-place match. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/photo/fifa-world-cup-2026-kylian-mbappe-wins-another-golden-boot-here-are-all-the-award-winners-from-the-marquee-event-112134/1" rel="nofollow">France's skipper Kylian Mbappe</a> finished the tournament as the highest goal-scorer with 10 goals.
(With ANI Inputs)

Durand Cup: Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia is hopeful that big clubs would participate in upcoming tournament with support of Bengal government

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Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia is hopeful that the big clubs would participate in the upcoming tournament with the support of the Bengal government

'It's such a prestigious tournament...': Bhaichung Bhutia on upcoming Durand Cup

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