Super Cup 2025 Draw: Kolkata Derby Headlines Group Stage Drama

The stage is set for one of Indian football’s most eagerly anticipated tournaments as the Super Cup 2025 group stage draw delivers blockbuster matchups across four groups. The draw, conducted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday, has produced mouth-watering clashes including the legendary Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC in what is already being dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.

Complete Super Cup 2025 Group Stage Draw

The tournament will kick off on October 25, 2025, with all matches taking place at two venues in Goa. The opening day features East Bengal FC taking on Real Kashmir FC, followed by the reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan facing Chennaiyin FC. The marquee Kolkata Derby is scheduled for October 31, promising to be the highlight of the group stage.

Group A: The Kolkata Derby Takes Center Stage

Group A emerges as the standout pool, featuring the legendary rivalry between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC. This encounter will mark their first meeting since East Bengal’s victory over Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup quarter-final, adding extra spice to an already heated rivalry. The two arch-rivals from Kolkata have been drawn in the same group, with Mohun Bagan placed as the top seed in the tournament.

Joining them are Chennaiyin FC, who will be led by their first-ever Indian head coach, Clifford Miranda, who previously served as an assistant coach at Mohun Bagan. For Miranda, this tournament marks his maiden assignment as head coach, and he faces the sternest of tests in what is already being dubbed the ‘Group of Death’. Real Kashmir FC completes this challenging group, bringing their trademark grit and unpredictability from the northern region.

Tournament Format and Stakes

Unlike the previous edition’s straight knockout format, this year’s Super Cup follows a group-stage system where only the group winners advance to the semi-finals. This format adds immense weight to every match, as teams cannot afford any slip-ups. The eventual champion will not only lift the prestigious trophy but also secure a coveted playoff berth in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two, significantly raising the stakes.

Group B: Champions Collide in Competitive Pool

Group B presents another fascinating battle, headlined by defending Super Cup champions FC Goa, who enter as top seeds. They face a formidable challenge from Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC, who will be looking to add another trophy to their recent success. The group also features I-League champions Inter Kashi, making their Super Cup debut, and Jamshedpur FC, who will be under new management following Khalid Jamil’s departure.

This will be the first proper tournament for Jamshedpur FC after the departure of Khalid Jamil from the club. The interim head coach, Steven Dias, will have the responsibility to steer the team, presenting a great opportunity for the Indian coach to establish his credentials in a high-pressure environment.

Super Cup Tournament Timeline and Format

Players of Mohun Bagan and FC Goa are expected to join late due to their Asian Champions League 2 commitments on November 4 and 5, but the clubs have been granted exemptions from early group stage matches to accommodate their continental obligations.

Group C: Bengaluru FC Lead Balanced Pool

Group C features former ISL Cup winners Bengaluru FC as the headline act, boasting several Indian internationals in their ranks. They face stiff competition from Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC, both looking for redemption after disappointing campaigns in the previous Indian Super League season. Punjab finished in 10th position, while the newly promoted Mohammedan SC from Kolkata ended at the bottom of the table.

Completing this group is Gokulam Kerala FC, the Malabarians who were the fourth-ranked side in the 2024-25 I-League season. This presents a battle of styles between established ISL sides and ambitious I-League challengers, making every match in this group crucial for qualification.

Group D: Mumbai vs Kerala Blasters Rivalry Renewed

Group D promises to be equally compelling, featuring two heavyweight ISL clubs – Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC. Both clubs had underwhelming returns last season and will see the Super Cup as an opportunity to set the tone for the upcoming campaign. The rivalry between these two sides has produced some of the league’s most intense encounters.

Hyderabad FC brings their renowned resilience to the group, while Rajasthan United FC completes the pool after receiving an invitation following Churchill Brothers’ withdrawal. The I-League side from Rajasthan was invited to the tournament after the withdrawal of Churchill Brothers, who finished as runners-up in the I-League last season but cited the lack of a clear roadmap for the resumption of Indian Super League as their reason for withdrawal.

Historical Context and Tournament Evolution

The Super Cup has grown significantly in stature since its inception in 2018. After Bengaluru FC’s triumph in the inaugural edition and FC Goa’s victory in 2019, the tournament went on a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2023 with Odisha FC claiming their maiden silverware, before East Bengal lifted the title in 2024, setting the stage for an exciting defense of their crown.

This edition of the Super Cup is highly anticipated, and with the delay in the commencement of the new Indian Super League season, fans are starved of football action. The Super Cup will act as the curtain raiser for the next season in Indian Football, providing much-needed competitive action for players and entertainment for supporters.

The Road Ahead: Continental Aspirations

The tournament’s significance extends beyond domestic bragging rights, as the winner earns a pathway to Asian football’s premier club competition. The AFC Champions League Two playoff berth represents a golden opportunity for Indian clubs to test themselves against continental opposition and potentially earn substantial prize money and prestige.

With only six of the 16 consenting teams having begun their season after a contractual imbroglio left Indian football in limbo, the Super Cup provides a crucial competitive platform for players to regain match fitness and rhythm. The remaining 10 teams are yet to assemble their squads and begin pre-season training, making this tournament even more vital for preparation.

As the countdown begins to October 25, Indian football fans can look forward to a festival of the beautiful game, where historic rivalries meet modern ambitions, and where every match could write a new chapter in the rich tapestry of Indian football history.

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