The tournament fixtures, however, are yet to be announced.
The Asia’s oldest tournament will have 24 teams divided into six groups with the toppers and two best second-placed teams making the knock-outs.
Kolkata will play host to A, B and C group teams in multiple venues, with the hallowed Salt Lake Stadium slated to host the tournament opener as well as the final.
While most of the Group D and Group E games, barring two, have been slotted in Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium. Kokrajhar’s SAI center ground, the newest host city venue, will host a total of nine games, including one of the four quarter-final games.
Sunil Chhetri-led defending champions Bengaluru FC are clubbed with Kerala Blasters and 2019 champions Gokulam Kerala along with the Indian Air Force in Group C.
The 132nd Durand Cup also sees a return of foreign participation after a gap of 27 years and while the Bangladesh Service team has been placed in Group A, the second foreign team is placed in group E.
A total of 43 matches, including the final, are scheduled with two of the four quarterfinals taking place in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, while the rest of the knockouts happen in Kolkata.
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The Groups
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Group A: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Roundglass Punjab FC and Bangladesh Army.
Group B: Mumbai City FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mohammedan Sporting and Indian Navy.
Group C: Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, Gokulam Kerala and Indian Air Force.
Group D: North East United FC, FC Goa, Shillong Lajong FC.
Group E: Hyderabad FC, Chennaiyin FC, Delhi FC and Tribhuvan Army Football Club Nepal.
Group F: Odisha FC, Rajasthan United FC, Indian Army and Bodoland Team.
