The group stage features 35 teams, divided into eight groups of four teams and one group of three teams. The nine group winners will join host Assam, defending champions West Bengal, and last season’s runners-up Kerala to complete the 12-team Final Round lineup.

Below are the officially announced group fixtures and where they are going to be hosted:

GROUP A – Mahilpur, Punjab

Teams: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab
December 15: Jammu & Kashmir vs Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh vs Punjab
December 17: Himachal Pradesh vs Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh vs Punjab
December 19: Ladakh vs Himachal Pradesh, Punjab vs Jammu & Kashmir

GROUP B – Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

Teams: Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
December 16: Uttarakhand vs Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh vs Haryana
December 18: Haryana vs Uttarakhand, Chandigarh vs Uttar Pradesh
December 20: Chandigarh vs Haryana, Uttarakhand vs Uttar Pradesh

GROUP C – Delhi

Teams: Bihar, Jharkhand, Railways, Delhi
December 15: Bihar vs Railways, Jharkhand vs Delhi
December 17: Railways vs Jharkhand, Delhi vs Bihar
December 19: Bihar vs Jharkhand, Delhi vs Railways

GROUP D – Agartala, Tripura

Teams: Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura
December 15: Mizoram vs Nagaland, Manipur vs Tripura
December 17: Nagaland vs Manipur, Tripura vs Mizoram
December 19: Manipur vs Mizoram, Nagaland vs Tripura

GROUP E – Shillong, Meghalaya

Teams: Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
December 19: Meghalaya vs Sikkim
December 21: Sikkim vs Arunachal Pradesh
December 23: Arunachal Pradesh vs Meghalaya

GROUP F – Narainpur, Chhattisgarh

Teams: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana
December 22: Odisha vs Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh vs Telangana
December 24: Telangana vs Odisha, Madhya Pradesh vs Chhattisgarh
December 26: Madhya Pradesh vs Telangana, Chhattisgarh vs Odisha

GROUP G – Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Teams: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
December 17: Andaman & Nicobar vs Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh vs Pondicherry
December 19: Tamil Nadu vs Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry vs Andaman & Nicobar
December 21: Andaman & Nicobar vs Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry vs Tamil Nadu

GROUP H – Bengaluru, Karnataka

Teams: Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Services
December 20: Goa vs Services, Karnataka vs Lakshadweep
December 22: Lakshadweep vs Goa, Services vs Karnataka
December 24: Lakshadweep vs Services, Goa vs Karnataka

GROUP I – Jaipur, Rajasthan

Teams: Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
December 17: Gujarat vs Maharashtra, DNH & DD vs Rajasthan
December 19: Maharashtra vs DNH & DD, Rajasthan vs Gujarat
December 21: DNH & DD vs Gujarat, Maharashtra vs Rajasthan

FINALS IN ASSAM

The final round will be played in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji in Assam. This will be the first time in over a decade that the state hosts the concluding stage of the prestigious national tournament.

With a mix of historic powerhouses and rising state teams, the 2025–26 Santosh Trophy promises high-quality football and a thrilling fight for one of India’s oldest and most respected titles.

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The post Assam set to Host Santosh Trophy 2025–26 Final Round — Group Fixtures Out appeared first on Football Counter.

While most of us grief about the tiny bit struggle in our life, Chandan Boro, nine-year old is a big ray of inspiration for all of us. Belonging to Harisinga town of Assam’s Udalguri district, where people struggle with poverty and survive in harsh conditions. Chandan, son of a sweeper, has been selected to the residential football camp of German Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim.

Chandan got selected at Kokrajhar Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in June by the Tata Trust, Mumbai under the Football Development Program in partnership with U Sports, Mumbai, and Germany under U Dream Football for selection of budding Under 15 football talents. In a few weeks, he will be travelling to Bitburg in Germany to pursue his dream and passion.

Residing beside Harisinga Railway Chandan’s father sweeps a marketplace and his mother who works as a helping hand in a local tea stall. Also, a die-hard fan of North East United FC, he got his training from Harisinga Football Coaching Centre (HFCC).

He is a wonder boy with the ball. Believed to have amazing dribbling style and swift in his moves. Chandan’s achievement has inspired the girls to take up the sport.

The post Nine year old, Chandan Boro, son of a sweeper on his way to Germany for football training. appeared first on Football Counter.