Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters to face off against Premier League teams in Next Generation Cup in the UK

Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC reserve squads have arrived in the United Kingdom to participate in the Next Generation Cup, 2022 hosted by the Premier League.
The tournament is part of the longstanding partnership between Premier League and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to support the development of football in India. The youth squads of the two Hero Indian Super League clubs had qualified to compete in the international tournament by virtue of finishing in the top two in the inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) held earlier this year.
The eight-team Next Generation Cup features five Premier League club youth teams and one academy side from South Africa alongside Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC. The teams will be divided into two groups and play their first match on July 27 in London and the Midlands.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League and our clubs look forward to welcoming players from Bengaluru FC and the Kerala Blasters FC for the Next Generation Cup, the first time the youth development tournament has been held in the UK.
“This event builds on our continued work with the Hero Indian Super League, to support the development and growth of football in India.
“It also provides a brilliant opportunity for young players from the Leagues to meet and compete against each other, learn about each other’s cultures and develop both on and off the pitch.
“I hope everyone taking part in the Cup at Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur’s first-team training facilities enjoys their experience and benefits from their involvement.”

Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) Spokesperson said, “It gives us immense pleasure to see young Indian footballers gain international exposure and take their game to the next level. This will surely empower the emerging players to evolve as better footballers and lead the growth of football in the country.”
“The FSDL-Premier League partnership has been a crucial step towards our commitment to globalise Indian football and we are thankful to the Premier League for being partners and resonating our vision towards the development and growth of the Indian football ecosystem.”
“India has immense potential for football and we at FSDL strive to constantly strengthen the sport to establish the country as a global football powerhouse. We wish our players all the best for the tournament and hope this serves as a great learning experience for them.”
During the tournament, the Premier League and its clubs will also provide knowledge-sharing workshops to best support the ISL clubs involved. In addition, it will provide a chance for the young Indian footballers to experience playing in the UK and competing against academy sides from the most followed football league in the world.
Four Indian officials are also present in England, signaling the latest positive step in the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s (PGMOL) relationship with the Indian Super League (ISL) and All India Football Federation (AIFF). This comes as a result of an extensive period of collaboration which has also seen PGMOL deliver a number of referee development courses in India as part of the Premier League’s Premier Skills programme and wide-ranging support for match officials, their coaches, and observers.
PGMOL Managing Director Mike Riley said: “We’ve enjoyed a beneficial and productive partnership with the Hero Indian Super League and the AIFF for a number of years now, with a strong focus on coaching and training their match officials both on and off the field.
“There’s been some fantastic progress made during that time and it is a pleasure to see that continue as we welcome four talented referees to the Next Generation Cup. I hope that they enjoy the experience and benefit from what promises to be a great tournament.”
Through the partnership, which began eight years ago, the Premier League and FSDL have continued to work together to share knowledge and expertise in all areas of the game including governance, talent development, commercial growth, administration, and wider community development. Most recently, the two leagues have collaborated in the holistic development of the sport in India, focused on enhancing coaching and refereeing standards in the country.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 | ||
Next Gen London (Group B) | Tottenham Hotspur vs Kerala Blasters FC | 3:30 PM IST |
Next Gen Midlands (Group A) | Leicester City FC vs Bengaluru FC | 9:30 PM IST |
Saturday, July 30, 2022 | ||
Next Gen London (Group B) | 3rd/4th place & Final | 3 PM IST & 6 PM IST |
Next Gen Midlands (Group A) | 3rd/4th place & Final | 2:30 PM IST & 5:30 PM IST |
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
Youtube –
Indian Super League
Kerala Blasters FC
Bengaluru FC
Facebook –
Indian Super League
Bengaluru FC
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read, Mumbai City FC announce the signing of goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Hashu Advani Centennial Cup / Local Football
Union Bank of India clinch Inaugural Hashu Advani Centennial Cup 2025
Union Bank of India defeated Kalina Rangers in the final to clinch the inaugural edition of Hashu Advani Centennial Cup 2025
Mumbai Super League: Mumbai Ultras & Waves FC secure crucial wins to shake up the standings
On Day 2 of the Mumbai Super League final round, Mumbai Ultras and Waves FC picked up vital victories against Brothers WA and Mumbai Soccer Prodigies (MSP), respectively, setting the…
South United FC announces Trials for their Residential Academy
South United Football Club (SUFC) announces the upcoming trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held at the Club’s Ulsoor facility in Bengaluru.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League: Mohd. Khatib’s late equalizer rescues a Point for MH Oranje FC against Mumbay FC
MH Oranje FC salvaged a dramatic late equalizer in the dying seconds of added time as Mohd. Khatib’s strike deep into the injury time denied Mumbay FC all three points…
FC Goa break 13-game-long winless run against Mumbai City FC with 3-1 victory
FC Goa defeated Mumbai City FC by 3-1 at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 to break their 13-game-long winless run against the Islanders in…
Mumbai Super League-Final Round: Nihal Colaco Steals the Show with a Hat-Trick for MSP while Waves & Brothers Drew
The Mumbai Super League Final Round got underway with contrasting results in both fixtures. Nihal Colaco’s second half hat-Trick helps MSP with 3-0 win while Waves & Brothers settle for a draw
Reliance Foundation Young Champs crowned regional champions with 6-1 win over Brothers Sports Association
Reliance Foundation Young Champs grabbed an impressive 6-1 win over Brothers Sports Association in the regional final of Dream Sports Championship’s Mumbai leg at the Cooperage Football Stadium on Friday….
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…
Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season
Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…