Mohun Bagan set for Durand Cup Kolkata Derby final with near-fit squad on August 23, 2026
Mohun Bagan will face East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby final of the 2026 Durand Cup on Sunday, 23 August 2026, with Panagiotis Dilmperis seeking his first piece of silverware at the club. The Mariners arrive after an unbeaten run in the competition and knockout victories over Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United.
Panagiotis Dilmperis goes into the final with a near-fully fit squad, including most of his foreign core, and is expected to select his strongest XI to counter East Bengal’s threat in the derby. The club aim to translate a flawless campaign into a trophy, and this preview examines the likely starting lineup and individual roles for the final.
Vishal Kaith remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Mohun Bagan; he has kept four clean sheets and is described as yet to concede a single goal at the 2026 Durand Cup. Kaith was particularly influential in the wins over Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United, being credited as the savior in the penalty shootout that took Mohun Bagan to the final, and is expected to be a proactive presence in goal.
On the right flank Abhishek Singh has settled into life at Mohun Bagan after a season with the club and has produced gritty performances at right-back in the Durand Cup. Subhasish Bose, the Mariners’ captain, brings derby experience but has had mixed displays under Panagiotis’ system; he will be relied upon for precise tackles and interceptions to disrupt East Bengal’s play.
Rahul Bheke has used the Durand Cup to justify his summer move, adding protection and leadership to the backline and playing a key role in ensuring Mohun Bagan have only conceded one goal in five matches so far. Alberto Rodriguez appears to have adapted to the centre-back partnership with Bheke, but the Spaniard will need disciplined positioning, measured challenges and effective forward passing and set-piece presence.
Lalengmawia Ralte has fit well into Panagiotis’ midfield setup, helping Mohun Bagan control possession and progress play into the opposition half, and Apuia is expected to press and win the ball in central areas while supplying forward passes. Samir Zeljkovic, the Bosnian signing from Punjab FC who featured in the previous game, is likely to start and will be tasked with link-up play, ball-winning in key zones and helping protect the defence during transitions.
In attack Manvir Singh has mainly played as a centre-forward in the tournament but may move to his more natural right-wing role for the derby after scoring four goals in five appearances. Sahal Abdul Samad is Mohun Bagan’s tournament top scorer with five goals and netted the winning goal in the opening clash against East Bengal; Liston Colaco has yet to score in five Durand Cup appearances, while Jamie Maclaren has one goal in the competition and previously scored in the second minute of Mohun Bagan’s 1-0 ISL win over East Bengal in 2024-25, all players expected to be judged on movement, final-third decision-making and finishing.
The 2026 Durand Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, when Mohun Bagan meet their arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the Kolkata Derby. Predicted Mohun Bagan starting XI: Vishal Kaith; Abhishek Singh, Rahul Bheke, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose; Lalengmawia Ralte, Samir Zeljkovic; Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco; Jamie Maclaren.
