- Snow Leopards seek winning start at TRC
- Club looks to build on past top-three finishes as Nagaland side makes league debut
Srinagar : Real Kashmir FC will begin their 2026-27 Indian Football League campaign against Nagaland United FC at the TRC Stadium here on Friday, with the home side seeking a winning start to the season.
The match will kick off at 6:30 pm under floodlights. The fixture will also mark Nagaland United’s debut in the national league, setting up an opening contest between the Srinagar-based club and a newcomer to the competition.
Real Kashmir head coach Ishfaq Ahmad described Nagaland United as a good opponent and said his team was prepared for the challenge. The Snow Leopards will look to use home advantage to secure three points in their opening fixture.
Real Kashmir earned promotion to the I-League after winning the Second Division League in 2017-18 and finished third in their debut season in 2018-19. The club also secured third place in the 2024-25 I-League campaign, establishing itself as a regular competitor in the national league. The team finished seventh in the 2025-26 season and will be looking to improve its standing this year.
The squad comprises local, national and international players, with the club continuing to provide a platform for footballers from Jammu and Kashmir to compete at the national level.
Club owner Arshad Nizam Shawl said the club’s vision extended beyond football results, with an emphasis on developing local talent and creating opportunities for young people.
“Real Kashmir FC has always stood for something bigger than football. Our vision is to create opportunities for the youth of Kashmir, showcase their extraordinary talent and demonstrate to the world the potential of our people,” Shawl said.
The club acknowledged the support of the J&K Sports Council, J&K Police and other departments in facilitating its operations and match arrangements. It also thanked Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, and Sports Council Secretary Tazayun Mukhtar for their cooperation.
Real Kashmir has appealed to football enthusiasts to attend the match in large numbers and support the home side.
The opening fixture will be followed by a demanding league campaign in which the Snow Leopards will seek consistency and a stronger finish after last season’s seventh-place result.
