East Bengal FC Set for AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Group Stage Challenge
East Bengal FC's Group Stage Draw
East Bengal FC has been placed in Group D alongside Al Hussein SC from Jordan, Al Shorta SC from Iraq, and Al Seeb Club from Oman for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two 2026-27. This announcement was made following the draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday.
Qualification and Historical Context
The Red and Golds, who clinched the Indian Super League title for the 2025-26 season, secured their spot in the group stage after a decisive 4-1 win against Al Arabi SC of Kuwait in the Preliminary Stage last Wednesday. This marks their ninth entry into the group stage of Asia's second-tier men's club tournament, and notably, their first since 2015 when it was referred to as the AFC Cup, according to a statement from the All India Football Federation.
Overview of Group D Opponents
In Group D, East Bengal FC will compete against:
1. **Al Hussein SC** - Champions of the Jordanian Pro League 2025-26.
2. **Al Shorta SC** - Runners-up of the Iraq Stars League 2025-26.
3. **Al Seeb Club** - Champions of the Oman Professional League 2025-26.
Tournament Structure and Timeline
The tournament features 32 teams split into two zones (West and East), with 16 teams in each zone, organized into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16.
East Bengal will play each of their group opponents both home and away in a double-round robin format. The group stage is set to commence on September 15 and will conclude on December 9.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled between February 9 and 18, 2027. The quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place from March 2-18 and April 6-14, respectively, with the final match slated for May 15, 2027.
Complete Group Stage Draw Results
- **Group A**: Al Wahda FC (UAE), PFC Nasaf (UZB), Kuwait SC (KUW), Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
- **Group B**: Al Jazira Club (UAE), Golgohar Sirjan SC (IRN), Al Muharraq SC (BHR), FC Arkadag (TKM)
- **Group C**: Al Taawoun FC (KSA), Al Rayyan SC (QAT), Al Faisaly (JOR), Al Nahda Club (OMA)
- **Group D**: Al Hussein SC (JOR), Al Shorta SC (IRQ), Al Seeb Club (OMA), East Bengal FC (IND)
- **Group E**: FC Seoul (KOR), Melbourne Victory FC (AUS), The Cong - Viettel FC (VIE), Persib Bandung (IDN)/Manila Digger (PHI)
- **Group F**: Adelaide United (AUS), BG Pathum United (THA), Lion City Sailors FC (SGP), Tai Po FC (HKG)
- **Group G**: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN), Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN), Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM), Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
- **Group H**: Gangwon FC (KOR), Kuching City FC (MAS), Kitchee SC (HKG), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)