IWL-2: HOPS FC returns to Indian Women’s League with an unbeaten title run

HOPS FC returned to Indian Women's League for the 2026-27 season after an unbeaten title run at the 2026 Indian Women's League 2 season last week in Bengaluru.

The Delhi-based club won the title with a 1-0 win over Juba Sangha in the final league match. Both these teams have now earned a promotion to the top division.

“This promotion means a lot because we have seen every phase as a club, from building the team from scratch to competing against the best sides in the country,” said HOPS FC owner Sanjay Yadav.

The club first made national headlines after winning the Football Delhi Women’s Premier League during the 2022-23 season and securing a spot in the Indian Women’s League.

Competing against established teams in their debut top-flight campaign, HOPS FC impressed immediately by finishing fourth in Group A and reaching the knockout stage before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

They followed it up with an impressive fifth-place finish in the 2023-24 Indian Women’s League season, establishing themselves among the top clubs in the country.

However, the momentum was disrupted during the 2024-25 campaign as HOPS FC endured a difficult season, finishing at the bottom of the table and suffering relegation to IWL 2.

Instead of dismantling the project, the club chose to rebuild and appointed Ravi Kumar Punia as coach ahead of the new season. Known for his success across domestic competitions and his reputation for building disciplined teams, Punia was entrusted with leading the club’s revival alongside senior coach Sonika Vijarniya.

The response was immediate as HOPS FC dominated Group B of the qualifying stage, winning all four matches to advance comfortably into the final round in Bengaluru.

Carrying confidence and momentum into the final round, HOPS FC continued its strong form against the country’s best second-division teams.

Competing against Juba Sangha, Kemp FC, Krida Prabodhini, Mumbai Knights, and Suruchi Sangha, the side displayed consistency, defensive discipline, and composure under pressure.

The team opened the campaign with a 3-0 victory over Krida Prabodhini before defeating Mumbai Knights 2-0 and Kemp FC 1-0.

HOPS FC then edged Suruchi Sangha 1-0 before defeating title rivals Juba Sangha 1-0 in the final match to top the standings and seal promotion back to the Indian Women’s League.

HOPS FC finished the final round with five wins from five matches, scoring eight goals without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament to secure the title with 15 points.