Punjab FC to feature in Next Gen Cup

Chandigarh, July 12

Mohali-based Punjab FC along with East Bengal FC and Muthoot FA will feature in the Next Generation Cup 2024, which will be hosted by the Premier League in collaboration with Reliance Foundation in England.

All three teams qualified for the main event by bagging first three positions, respectively, in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL). The fifth edition will feature three Indian teams along with academy teams from England and South Africa in the event to be held from August 1 to 4. The tournament provides India’s talented young footballers with an opportunity to compete with equivalent age-group teams from Premier League Academies and the South African Premier Soccer League.

Teams, including Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, have been confirmed as the four clubs who will be representing the Premier League. Winners Punjab FC, runners-up East Bengal FC and Muthoot FA, the third-place finishers, secured their spot in the Next Generation Cup 2024, along with South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC. Last year, the Next Generation Cup was played in India, where Wolverhampton Wanderers FC beat Stellenbosch FC in the final to lift the trophy.

Neil Saunders, Premier League’s Director of Football, said, “The Premier League is once again delighted to be hosting the Next Generation Cup and looks forward to what promises to be another great tournament.” Team India and Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu lauded the event. He was the first Indian to play in the UEFA Europa League for Norwegian club, Stabæk. “Tournaments like these are crucial for developing Indian football, providing our youngsters with much-needed international exposure,” said Sandhu.

The competition will run over four-match rounds to be played at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Training Ground, with two groups of four clubs playing each other before proceeding onto a final fixture based on table positions to close the tournament.

All games will be 11-a-side with 50-minute duration. Knowledge-sharing workshops will also be held.