President Droupadi Murmu Launches Durand Cup 2026 with New Sri Lankan Team

President of India Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup 2026 trophies at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on 7 July. She praised the tournament’s role in nurturing football talent and announced the inclusion of a Sri Lankan team alongside Indian sides for the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Shimla Trophy.

Murmu noted that matches will be staged in Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, Shillong and, for the first time, Ranchi, giving more regional players exposure. Referring to the ongoing FIFA World Cup, she said football “embodies excellence, unity and sportsmanship” and urged participants to play with “sporting spirit, equality and cooperation”. She linked the competition to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, saying the expanded participation will boost the sport’s popularity and help build a stronger football ecosystem.