New Delhi, August 19: The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament got underway on August 18, 2026, with a grand opening ceremony at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, bringing together young footballers from across the country and highlighting India’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
The opening day featured an exciting Junior Girls Under-17 encounter, where Meghalaya defeated Chandigarh 2–0. Meghalaya’s goals were scored by Genefa and Wandari.
🏆 Grand Opening Ceremony
The tournament was formally declared open in the presence of Air Marshal S Sivakumar, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration and Vice Chairman, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, who attended as the Chief Guest.
India’s national weightlifting star Lovepreet Singh was the Guest of Honour.
The opening ceremony featured performances by the Air Warriors Drill Team, along with a colourful cultural presentation by students of the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute.
The performances added a ceremonial and cultural dimension to the opening of one of India’s longest-running school football tournaments.
⚽ 108 Teams Competing
The 65th edition features 108 teams competing across three categories:
- Junior Girls – Under-17
- Junior Boys – Under-17
- Sub-Junior Boys – Under-15
The participating teams have been divided into eight groups in each category.
Teams will compete in the group stages, with the group winners progressing to the knockout rounds, eventually leading to the tournament finals.
🇮🇳 Nurturing India’s Next Generation of Footballers
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Air Marshal S Sivakumar described the Subroto Cup as a reflection of the enduring spirit of football in India.
He expressed confidence that the tournament would not only provide young athletes with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills but would also encourage more children to take up football.
He congratulated all the teams that qualified for the tournament and encouraged the players to compete with discipline, determination and true sportsmanship.
🌱 Grassroots Football at the Centre
The Subroto Cup continues to serve as an important platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent.
For many participants, the tournament provides an opportunity to compete at a high level, gain valuable match experience and potentially progress towards higher levels of the sport.
The tournament’s emphasis on school-age players also supports the development of football at the grassroots level, helping create a stronger pipeline of young athletes.
🏟️ A Tournament With a Long Legacy
Now in its 65th edition, the Subroto Cup has established itself as an important fixture in India’s youth football calendar.
The 2026 tournament combines competitive football with an emphasis on discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and character development — values that have long been associated with the competition.
As the group stages progress, young players from across the country will compete for a place in the knockout rounds and ultimately the coveted Subroto Cup title.
The 65th Subroto Cup once again puts India’s young football talent in the spotlight, providing 108 teams with a national platform to compete, learn and dream of reaching greater heights in the sport.