Kolkata football giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal face off in IFA Shield final

Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal will meet in the IFA Shield 2026 final on Thursday. The match takes place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata with a kickoff time of 6:15 PM IST.

Match Details

Mohun Bagan enters this fixture as the defending champion of the Shield title after defeating East Bengal 2-1 in last year's final. East Bengal comes into the game with momentum from their 4-1 victory over their arch-rivals in the Durand Cup final played two months ago in August. In that match, Edmund Lalrindika scored a first-half hat-trick to help East Bengal equal Mohun Bagan's record as the most successful team in the 139-year history of the tournament by claiming their 17th title.

Broadcast Info

Fans wanting to watch the action live on television in India will not find a live broadcast, as the match will not be televised. However, live streaming of the game will be available on FanCode.

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan SG's predicted starting eleven in a 4-2-3-1 formation features Vishal Kaith in goal, with Asish Rai, Rahul Bheke, Alberto Rodriguez, and Subhasish Bose in defense. Deepak Tangri and Samir Zeljkovic form the midfield, while Lallianzuala Chhangte, Miguel Figueira, and Liston Colaco support striker Lee Erwin. East Bengal is also predicted to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Phurba Lachenpa as goalkeeper. Their defense includes Hardik Bhatt, Lalchungnunga, David Zivulic, and Sandip Mandi, while Jeakson Singh and Mohamad Rashid marshal the midfield. Dani Ramirez, Bipin Singh, and PV Vishnu will support forward David Lalhlansanga.

Context

The Kolkata Derby is one of the oldest and most fiercely contested football rivalries in Asia, drawing massive passionate support from fans across the country. Matches between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal carry immense historical weight, often bringing intense competition regardless of the tournament or current standings.