The IFA Shield returns after a three-year absence with a total of six teams - two sides from ISL, three I-League teams and one from I-League 2 participating in the 2025 edition. The teams have been divided into three groups. East Bengal, Namdhari and Sreenidi Deccan are placed in Group A, while Group B consists of Mohun Bagan, Gokulam Kerala and United SC. The group winners from each round will advance to the final, scheduled to be held at Salt Lake Stadium on October 18, 2025. The group games of the IFA Shield 2025 began on 8th October 2025, with the competition spanning almost two weeks.
This is the 125th time the historical competition is being organised by the West Bengal football governing body and it will be the second club cup competition in the Indian football calendar for the 2025-26 season. All teams, except Sreenidi Deccan, are fielding their senior squad for the tournament, including foreigners. The Deccan warriors opted for reserve side instead.The Kolkata giants East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant along with Gokulam Kerala will participate in the AIFF Super Cup and are using the IFA Shield as an ideal preparation for the competition later this month. However, some players will not be available for ISL teams in certain games due to international duties with India.
Group A
East Bengal
Goalkeepers: Debjit Majumder, Prabhsukhan Gill, Gourab Shaw
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Mohammad Rakip, Suman Dey, Bikram Pradhan, Martand Raina, Lalchungnunga, Jay Gupta and Kevin Sibille
Midfielders: Saul Crespo, Jeakson Singh, Souvik Chakraborty, Mohammad Rashid, Miguel Figueira
Forwards: Bipin Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Naorem Mahesh Singh, David Lalhansanga, PV Bishnu, Jesin TK, Hamid Ahdad and Sayan Banerjee.
Head Coach: Oscar Bruzon
Namdhari
Goalkeepers: Niraj Kumar, Avtar Singh
Defenders: Lamine Moro, Kamalpreet Singh, Balkaran Singh, Adersh Mattummal, Gurshan Singh
Midfielders: Sehajdeep Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Guilherme Gomes, Seigougin Chongloi, Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha
Forwards: Jaskaranpreet Singh, Seilenhang Lotjem, Karandeep Singh, Aatma Singh, Michael Osei, Daljinder Singh
Sreenidi Deccan
Goalkeepers: Adhil Faizal, Shuhaid Koya
Defenders: Rosangzuala, Jaydev Sharma, Deepak DP, Kush Joshi
Midfielders: Jamson Mutum, Jay Paominlal Singson, Wungthan Awungshi, Levi's Zangminlun, Muhammed Zahan, Davarla Naveen, Sahrudai Vaddi, Singamayum Sajaan Khan, Mirza Abbas Ali Baig
Forwards: Lamgunlal Kipgen, Syed Imtiyaz Ahmed, Airborlang Kharthangmaw, R Lawmnasangzuala
Group B
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Syed Zahid, Deeprobhat Ghosh
Defenders: Tom Aldred, Subhasish Bose, Alberto Rodríguez, Abhishek Singh, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Apuia, Glan Martins, Thumsol Tongsin
Forwards: Dimitri Petratos, Manvir Singh, Kiyan Nassiri, Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Robson Robinho
Head Coach: Jose Molina
Gokulam Kerala
Goalkeepers: Rakshit Dagar, Shibinraj Kunniyil
Defenders: Harpreet Singh, Athul Unnikrishnan, Nidhin Krishna, Mashoor Shereef, Gursimrat Singh, Soyal Joshy, Laishram Singh
Midfielders: Rishad PP, Emil Benny, Rahul Raju, Shighil Nambrath, Matías Hernández, Edu Martínez
Forwards: Seiminmang Manchong, Samuel Kynshi, Akshunna Tyagi, Lalramdinsanga Ralte, Moses Lalrinzuala, Alfred Planas, Juan Carlos Rico
Head Coach: Jose Heiva
United SC
Goalkeepers: Suraj
Defenders: Ankan Bhattacharjee, Susovan Ghosh, Seila Toure, Dipankar Tudu, Pravat Soren, Amit Tudu, Ranjit Sardar
Midfielders: Mohammed Rafique, Biki Saibo, Lalremruata, Dipesh Murmu, Bijay Gurung, Quattara
Forwards: Sourendra Biswas, M Sreenath, Christopher Chizoba, Sujal Munda, Sudipta Malakar, Subrata Murmu
