Real Kashmir to host Nagaland United in IFL 2026-27 opener at TRC Stadium on Oct 30
Real Kashmir FC will meet Nagaland United SC at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Friday, 30 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 18:30 IST as the opening match of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season.
The IFL, India’s second-tier competition beneath the Indian Super League (ISL), begins its 2026-27 campaign on 30 October with 11 clubs competing for the single ISL promotion slot. Nagaland United, Bengaluru United and Samaleswari SC are among the debutants this season, while Mohammedan SC joins the field after relegation from the ISL.
Real Kashmir arrive with recent momentum after a difficult start to 2025–26 that left them in the lower half of the initial league phase and placed in the relegation round. Under head coach Ishfaq Ahmed they won three consecutive matches in that relegation phase, including a 3–0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC and a 2–1 win against Aizawl FC, finishing the relegation stage top on 14 points. The club has added 13 new signings ahead of this season, with arrivals such as Susnata Malick, Mohit Mittal and striker Marcus Joseph among those named in the squad.
Nagaland United was founded in 2024 in Chümoukedima in Dimapur and will make its national-league debut in the IFL, bringing representation to a state the article says had waited 78 years; the report references Dr. Talimeren Ao as independent India’s first ever Captain. The club’s participation in the league followed a goodwill agreement with Aizawl FC that was approved by the All India Football Federation on September 9, 2026, under which Nagaland United acquired Aizawl’s sporting rights for the competition.
Kaizad Ambapardiwalla has been appointed head coach of Nagaland United; the article states he served as head coach for Jamshedpur FC during their quarterfinal run in the Durand Cup 2026, described as the club’s final outing. The team will be led on the pitch by defender Rohmingthanga, who previously played for Aizawl FC in the I-League, and the squad is characterised in the report as a young group drawing on local players and intended to provide opportunities for emerging footballers in the region.
Both clubs are reported to have their full squads available aside from any injuries and to be prepared for the season opener. Real Kashmir’s matchday roster listed in the preview includes Susnata Malick, Calvin Rosario Baretto, Iqlak Fayaz, Sajid Dhot, Sanatomba Singh, Syed Suhail Pasha, Kamal Issah, Mamoud Oshie, Ahteeb Ahmad Dar, Christian Moses and Marcus Joseph.
The fixture will be available to stream live on YouTube, Waves OTT and Z5, while television viewers can watch on DD Sports; the preview also notes that the Unite8Sports channel is telecasting some games, likely starting from the next matchweek. For ongoing coverage and updates the article directs readers to follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, to download the Khel Now Android or iOS app, or to join its WhatsApp and Telegram communities.
This game is the first-ever meeting between Real Kashmir FC and Nagaland United SC and will serve as the curtain-raiser for the IFL 2026-27 season, kicking off at 18:30 IST at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar.
