The quarterfinal group league of the 32nd Federation Cup begins in Cuttack, Ludhiana and Goa on Tuesday with six matches. Defending champions East Bengal kick off at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on the opening day against Air India.
Lajong FC, last year's runners-up, have come through the qualifying rounds and will also be based in Cuttack where they start against Mohun Bagan on Wednesday. The Federation Cup has gone to Cuttack after 23 years.
At the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Sesa Football Academy, another qualifier, will meet Chirag United before Churchill Brothers take on Viva Kerala. In Ludhiana, an India XI with U-19 players will debut against hosts JCT after former champions Dempo play ONGC, who have qualified for I-League 4 beginning in November.