In a late development ahead of the historic Durand Cup 2025, the Malaysian Army Football Team has been drafted in to replace Indonesia’s squad, whose withdrawal followed an unexpected breakdown in final arrangements.
The tournament—Asia’s oldest football competition—kicks off on July 23 across five Indian cities and six venues.
The inclusion of the Malaysian Army comes after the Indian Army reportedly reached out to several South Asian counterparts, including military football outfits from Bhutan, Nepal, and Malaysia, in light of recent ISL club withdrawals. The Malaysian side will compete in Group E alongside Shillong Lajong, Rangdajied United, and NorthEast United FC, with matches scheduled at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Tribhuwan Army returns for a third straight campaign, drawn into Group C with Jamshedpur FC, 1 Ladakh FC, and hosts Indian Army FT. Their fixtures will unfold at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. Despite past group-stage exits, the Nepalese outfit aims to script history this time.
The 2025 format features 24 teams split into six groups of four, with group toppers and the two best runners-up advancing to the quarterfinals. The grand finale is slated for August 23 at Kolkata’s iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
With geopolitical shifts on the sidelines and a renewed focus on military camaraderie through sport, Durand Cup 2025 promises both rivalry and regional resonance.
