Oriental Cup 2026 finals set: All four finalists are first-timers
Synopsis
For the first time in its four-year history, the Oriental Cup 2026 will crown brand-new champions in both categories — every finalist is a first-timer. With a dramatic penalty shootout, a hat-trick heroine, and former India hockey captain Sardar Singh as chief guest, Thursday's finale at Dr Ambedkar Stadium is shaping up to be the tournament's biggest day yet.
Key Takeaways
All four finalists in the Oriental Cup 2026 are first-time title contenders, guaranteeing new champions in both categories.
Bharti Public School and Modern School will contest the girls' final after both won their semi-finals 4-0 .
Dhwani Bidada of Modern School scored a hat-trick in the 12th, 35th, and 36th minutes against Vasant Valley School.
Goenka School, Dwarka beat Mother's International School 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the boys' final.
Step by Step School, Noida defeated Delhi Public School, Vasant Vihar 1-0 to reach their maiden boys' final.
The tournament has featured over 1,500 student-athletes from 45+ teams across Delhi-NCR, with a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship for 10 deserving athletes.
The grand finale of the fourth edition of the Oriental Cup 2026 is confirmed, with all four finalists — two in the boys' category and two in the girls' — reaching the title clash for the first time in the tournament's history. The semi-finals were held on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, guaranteeing that both the boys' and girls' trophies will find new owners when the finals are played on Thursday, 17 July. Former India men's hockey captain and coach Sardar Singh will attend as chief guest for the grand finale.
Girls' Semi-Finals: Bharti and Modern School Advance
Bharti Public School became the first girls' finalist after a commanding 4-0 victory over Step by Step School, Noida. Yashika set the tone early with goals in the 11th and 15th minutes, before Nitika doubled the tally with strikes in the 19th and 27th minutes to seal an emphatic win.
Modern School joined them in the final with an equally dominant 4-0 defeat of Vasant Valley School. Dhwani Bidada was the star of the match, completing a sensational hat-trick with goals in the 12th, 35th, and 36th minutes. Keerti Panchal added the other goal in the 23rd minute.
Boys' Semi-Finals: Narrow Win and a Shootout Thriller
Step by Step School, Noida edged past Delhi Public School, Vasant Vihar 1-0 in a tightly contested first boys' semi-final. Both sides created chances but were resolute defensively, with Vansh Gulati delivering the decisive moment in the 21st minute to send Step by Step into their maiden Oriental Cup final.
The second boys' semi-final produced the most dramatic contest of the day. G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka and Mother's International School, Delhi were locked at 1-1 after regulation time. Dhruv Tuli had given Mother's International the lead in the 30th minute, before Aayan Naik restored parity six minutes later. With no winner in normal time, G.D. Goenka held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties (6-5 overall) and claim a place in the final.
Tournament Scale and What's at Stake
The fourth edition has brought together more than 1,500 student-athletes from over 45 teams across Delhi-NCR. This year's edition also features a more than doubled prize pool and a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes. The tournament concludes on Thursday with both finals, alongside exhibition matches featuring NGO teams STRIVE and MIMA in both categories.
Match Day 7 Results
Boys' Category: Step by Step School, Noida 1-0 Delhi Public School, Vasant Vihar | G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka 1 (5) – 1 (4) Mother's International School, Delhi (G.D. Goenka won 5-4 on penalties)
Girls' Category: Bharti Public School 4-0 Step by Step School, Noida | Modern School 4-0 Vasant Valley School
Point of View
But its long-term credibility will depend on transparent selection criteria. With Sardar Singh lending stature to the closing ceremony, the organisers are clearly pushing for a higher profile; the next question is whether the tournament can secure year-round development infrastructure to match its ambition.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the finalists in the Oriental Cup 2026?
The girls' finalists are Bharti Public School and Modern School. The boys' finalists are Step by Step School, Noida and G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka. All four teams are appearing in the Oriental Cup final for the first time.
When and where is the Oriental Cup 2026 grand finale?
The grand finale is scheduled for Thursday, 17 July 2026, at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. Both the boys' and girls' finals will be held on the same day, along with exhibition matches featuring NGO teams STRIVE and MIMA.
Who is the chief guest for the Oriental Cup 2026 final?
Former India men's hockey captain and coach Sardar Singh will be the chief guest at the grand finale on Thursday, 17 July 2026.
What is the scholarship programme at the Oriental Cup 2026?
The fourth edition features a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes. The tournament also offers a more than doubled prize pool compared to previous editions.
How did G.D. Goenka School reach the Oriental Cup boys' final?
G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka reached the final by defeating Mother's International School, Delhi 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time. Dhruv Tuli had put Mother's International ahead in the 30th minute before Aayan Naik equalised six minutes later.
