IWL 2025–26 Season: Dominance at the top, battles everywhere else

The 2025–26 Indian Women’s League season will be remembered as the campaign where East Bengal FC Women transformed dominance into history.

In the ninth edition of India’s premier women’s football competition, the Kolkata giants successfully defended their crown.

It was not simply a successful title defence; it was one of the most commanding league campaigns Indian women’s football has witnessed.

Played between December 2025 and May 2026, the season unfolded in two phases due to international calendar commitments around the AFC Women’s Asian Cup preparations.

Eight teams competed in a centralised format mainly across Kolkata and Kalyani, with the league producing 175 goals and several memorable storylines.

Yet despite the improving competitiveness in mid-table and the drama at the bottom, one reality became increasingly obvious as the season progressed: East Bengal were operating at a level above everyone else.

The Red & Gold brigade finished the campaign with 13 wins from 14 matches, collecting 39 points while scoring 47 goals and conceding only five. Their only defeat came in a surprise loss against Kickstart FC Women, but even that barely interrupted their momentum.

By 12 May, the title had already been mathematically secured with matches still remaining. They eventually signed off the season in style with a 2–0 victory over Sribhumi FC Women.

The triumph was another landmark achievement for coach Anthony Andrews, who secured his fourth Indian Women’s League title overall.

Having already built a reputation as one of the league’s most accomplished tacticians, Andrews once again demonstrated his ability to construct balanced, title-winning sides capable of dominating both offensively and defensively.

East Bengal’s ruthless formula

What made East Bengal so extraordinary this season was the completeness of their football.

Under coach Anthony Andrews, the side combined tactical discipline with relentless attacking intensity.

Their high pressing unsettled opponents from the opening whistle, while their quick transitions and vertical attacking play constantly exposed defensive gaps.

Defensively, they were almost flawless. Conceding only five goals across an entire season highlighted the organisation and composure of the backline, led by consistent performances from goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu.

East Bengal rarely allowed opponents to maintain sustained control in matches, recovering possession quickly and maintaining a compact defensive shape throughout games.

In attack, they were devastating. Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput once again established herself as the league’s most feared forward, scoring 20 goals to win the Golden Boot and Best Striker award.

Her movement, finishing, and physicality overwhelmed defenders throughout the season. Alongside her, Soumya Guguloth enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with 10 goals, while players like Resty Nanziri and Sulanjana Raul added pace and creativity.

Their dominance was reflected in the scorelines. A stunning 9–0 demolition of SESA FA Women, multiple 5–0 victories, and consistently comfortable wins demonstrated a side capable of overwhelming opponents in every phase of the game.

The rest of the League: Progress and struggles

Behind the champions, the rest of the league produced its own narratives.

Sethu FC Women finished second after a disciplined and respectable campaign, though they ultimately remained far behind East Bengal’s relentless pace.

Kickstart improved significantly during the second phase of the season and earned the distinction of handing the champions their only defeat.

Nita Football Academy Women and Gokulam Kerala FC Women displayed flashes of strong football without finding the consistency needed to challenge at the top truly.

For Gokulam Kerala, especially, the season symbolised a shift in power within Indian women’s football after years of dominance.

At the bottom end of the table, the relegation battle remained tense until the closing rounds.

Garhwal United FC Women survived through grit and crucial late-season results, while Sribhumi and SESA FA were relegated after difficult campaigns. SESA in particular struggled badly with the step up in quality, finishing the season winless and conceding 48 goals.

Moving forward

Beyond the results, the 2025–26 season reflected the steady growth of women’s football in India.

More young Indian players gained meaningful exposure, tactical standards continued to improve, and fan engagement around clubs like East Bengal showed encouraging progress for the women’s game.

At the same time, the season also highlighted areas that still require development.

The centralised format helped simplify scheduling and logistics, but the long-term future of the IWL depends on stronger infrastructure, increased investment, and a return to full home-and-away football culture capable of building deeper fanbases across the country.

For East Bengal, however, this season marked something greater than a trophy. It signalled the arrival of a new powerhouse in Indian women’s football.

Their qualification for the AFC Women’s Champions League further strengthened their growing continental stature, while the atmosphere around the team in Kolkata reflected a club beginning to shape a genuine football culture around its women’s side.

The 2025–26 IWL season will ultimately be remembered for East Bengal’s ruthless excellence, Fazila Ikwaput’s brilliance, and the league’s continuing evolution.

Indian women’s football is growing in quality and visibility every year, and after this historic campaign, East Bengal have firmly established themselves as the benchmark everyone else must now chase.