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The IFA Shield is set to start in October:
This year, the 2025 IFA Shield is set to commence on October 8. The competition’s final will take place on October 18. The IFA Shield is among the oldest tournaments in India, with East Bengal Club being the most successful team in its history. East Bengal has claimed the IFA Shield title a record 29 times, while its arch-rival, Mohun Bagan, has secured the trophy 20 times.
Teams and Groups:
A total of six teams are competing in this year’s IFA Shield. Among these, two teams are from the ISL: Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, while three teams from the I-League include Gokulam Kerala, Namdhari FC, and Sreenidi Deccan, along with one team from I-League 2, United SC. These six teams are divided into two groups, with the champion from each group advancing to the final.
- East Bengal is placed in Group A, alongside Namdhari FC and Sreenidi Deccan.
- Mohun Bagan is in Group B, with Gokulam Kerala and United SC as the other teams in that group.
Venues:
Three stadiums have been designated for the tournament. The venues for the group stage matches have been confirmed as Kishore Bharati Krirangan, and Kalyani Stadium, while Salt Lake Stadium will host the final match.
Group A: Match schedule:
The match schedule for Group A is as follows:
| # | Match | Date & Time | Venue |
| 1 | East Bengal Vs Sreenidi Deccan | October 08, 202515:00 IST | Kalyani Stadium |
| 2 | Namdhari FC VsSreenidi Deccan | October 11, 202515:00 IST | Kalyani Stadium |
| 3 | East Bengal VsNamdhari FC | October 14, 202515:00 IST | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
Group B: Match schedule:
The match schedule for Group B is as follows:
| # | Match | Date & Time | Venue |
| 1 | Mohun Bagan Vs Gokulam Kerala | October 09, 202515:00 IST | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
| 2 | United SC VsGokulam Kerala | October 12, 202515:00 IST | Kalyani Stadium |
| 3 | Mohun Bagan VsUnited SC | October 15, 202515:00 IST | Kishore Bharati Krirangan |
The Final Match schedule:
The champions of both groups will qualify for the final, which is scheduled for October 18, 2025, at Salt Lake Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM.
Possibility of a derby in the final:
The two strongest teams in their respective groups are East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Therefore, although there won’t be a derby during the group stage of this year’s IFA Shield, a derby in the final remains a strong possibility.
I have uploaded a video on YouTube in Bengali related to the topic discussed in this blog, and you can find the link to that video here: