Mumbai Ultras All Set for Their Maiden RFDL Regional Qualifiers

by FC October 23, 2026

Mumbai Ultras have dominated the RFDL-MFA Pre-Qualifiers 2026, emerging as Group B winners and securing their place in the Regional Qualifiers of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2026-27.

This was the first time the RFDL introduced Pre-Qualifiers for its regional rounds, with several Mumbai-based teams eager to participate but limited slots available. The initiative provided a fair opportunity for aspiring clubs to compete for a place in the competition. The format featured two groups of three teams each, with every team playing two matches. The winners of both groups would qualify for the Regional Qualifiers, joining the four teams nominated by the RFDL Central Team.

Mumbai Ultras had been chasing an opportunity to feature in the RFDL since last season but were unable to secure a place. However, when the opportunity came calling this time, they made sure to knock on the door in style. Drawn in Group B alongside Kenkre FC and Millat FC, Ultras knew they had to deliver in both fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Speaking about the importance of competing in the RFDL and what it means for the club’s young players, Mumbai Ultras senior team head coach Albinus Chettiar highlighted the opportunity to create a clear pathway from grassroots football to the senior level.

“It’s a great opportunity for Mumbai Ultras and for the young players coming through our system. Our objective is to create a clear pathway from grassroots football into senior football from the age of 17–18 onwards. RFDL gives these players the chance to compete, showcase their talent, and develop within the Mumbai Ultras playing identity—the style, values, and footballing DNA we want to see across the club. Ultimately, we want to build a strong pipeline where young players can progress from our youth system into the Elite Division and senior football when they are ready.”

Ultras’ journey through the group stage turned out to be a fairytale, with both matches ending in identical 5-1 victories against Kenkre FC and Millat FC. The results saw them finish Group B with a perfect record, scoring 10 goals and conceding just two. Rohak, Aditya, Raj Vallapi (2), Dhawal Tandel, Krish W, Santosh, Om W (2) and Reiden were among the goalscorers who contributed to the team’s impressive attacking display.

The emphatic results reflected the squad’s attacking depth and ability to execute its plans when it mattered most. With qualification secured, the focus now shifts towards testing themselves against some of the strongest sides in Mumbai.

Head coach Lay Gala was not surprised by the team’s dominant performances, pointing towards the blend of senior-team exposure, reserve-team players and promising talent recruited through trials as key factors behind their success.

“We have few key players who are already training with the seniors, which gave us a lot of confidence to play these qualifiers. Also, adding players from reserves and great talent from the trials gave us a lot of depth in the squad. We were very clear with the plan and the boys were able to execute it very well,” Gala said.

Having players who are already competing for a place in the senior team gives Ultras an advantage they can rely on as the competition progresses. Their familiarity with the demands of senior football, combined with the energy of emerging talent, could prove crucial as they prepare to face stronger opposition in the Regional Qualifiers.

Mumbai Ultras will now compete in the Mumbai Regional Round, where four nominated teams—MH Oranje FC, Reliance FYC, Mumbai City FC and CFCI—will be joined by Young Guns FC, who secured their place after dominating Group A in the Pre-Qualifiers. The Regional Round is scheduled to begin on October 24, with matches set to take place at RCP, Ghansoli.

Moving forward against some of Mumbai’s most formidable sides will be a significant challenge for Ultras. However, their two emphatic victories have provided the confidence and momentum needed to approach the next stage with belief. The team has already shown that it can score goals, maintain its attacking intensity and deliver results under pressure. The bigger test will be sustaining that level against opponents with established youth setups and greater experience in the competition.

Speaking about the challenge ahead, Lay Gala made it clear that his team would not be content with simply participating in the Regional Qualifiers. “The boys are well aware and ready for the challenge. We are not there just to participate but to fight for the top two positions and qualify for the Zonal Round,” he said.

The message within the Mumbai Ultras camp is clear: move forward with pride, compete with belief and get the job done. With a place in the Zonal Round as the target, the team will need to carry its group-stage momentum into a much more demanding phase of the competition.

Ultras also have several players who could make a difference as the stakes rise. Reagan Pereira, a former Mumbai City FC reserve-team player with experience in the RFDL National Round, brings valuable familiarity with the competition and its demands. His experience could prove important in guiding a relatively young squad through the challenges ahead.

Skanda Shankar, a new signing for the Mumbai Ultras senior team, also adds quality to the squad after winning the Mumbai Super League title last season and earning the Best Midfielder accolade. while Dhawal Tandel remains one of the club’s promising attacking talents, capable of making his mark with his instincts inside the box. Raj Vallapi, meanwhile, offers composure in midfield alongside a goal threat, having already scored twice in the Pre-Qualifiers.

With a combination of senior-team experience, emerging talent and a clear ambition to progress, Mumbai Ultras have reasons to believe they can make their presence felt in the Regional Round. However, the challenge ahead will demand consistency, discipline and the ability to deliver when the pressure is at its highest.

As the RFDL Regional Qualifiers get underway on October 24 at RCP, Ghansoli, Mumbai Ultras will look to build on their impressive start and take another step towards their ultimate objective. Their maiden qualification has already marked an important moment for the club, but the players and coaching staff know that the journey is far from over.

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