East Bengal AFC
East Bengal FC have been handed a challenging draw in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two.
The Kolkata-based club have been placed in Group D alongside Jordan’s Al Hussein SC, Iraq’s Al Shorta SC and Oman’s Al Seeb Club.
The group-stage draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, August 18. East Bengal will now begin their continental campaign against three West Asian opponents. The results of the group-stage matches will determine which clubs progress to the knockout phase.
East Bengal are India’s only representative in the AFC Champions League Two group stage this season. Their qualification comes after a dramatic victory over Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC in the preliminary stage.
East Bengal’s toughest-looking opponent on paper could be Al Hussein of Jordan.
The Jordanian club had an impressive run in the previous AFC Champions League Two campaign. They reached the quarter-finals in the 2025-26 edition after overcoming Iran’s Esteghlal in the Round of 16.
That experience makes Al Hussein a major threat in Group D.
Iraq’s Al Shorta will also provide a difficult test. The club has considerable experience in Asian club competitions and has regularly featured at the highest level of continental football.
Oman’s Al Seeb completes the group.
The three opponents have different tactical approaches and playing styles, meaning East Bengal’s coaching staff will have to prepare carefully for every fixture.
With four teams in the group, every point could prove crucial.
East Bengal will be particularly keen to maximise their home results. Avoiding defeats in Kolkata could become a key factor in their bid to reach the knockout stage.
Away matches will present a different challenge, especially because of travel, climate and the physical demands of playing in West Asia.
East Bengal booked their place in the group stage after producing one of the most dramatic comebacks in their recent continental history.
They faced Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC in the preliminary stage at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. For much of the match, the Indian side appeared to be heading towards elimination.
Al Arabi took the lead from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. East Bengal, however, refused to surrender. In the 90th minute, Joy Gupta scored a crucial header to bring the hosts level.
The match consequently went into extra time. That was when East Bengal completely turned the contest around.
Mohammed Rashid put the Kolkata side ahead in extra time. David Lalhlansanga then added another goal before Rohit Danu completed the scoring.
East Bengal eventually won 4-1 after extra time and secured their place in the AFC Champions League Two group stage.
The comeback was particularly significant because East Bengal had been trailing deep into the second half.
The victory also provided a major boost to Indian club football on the continental stage.
East Bengal now have an opportunity to make a significant impact in Asian football.
As India’s only group-stage representative in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two, expectations will be high around the club.
The team will face three West Asian opponents, which means preparation will be crucial.
Travel and climatic conditions could become important factors during away fixtures.
At the same time, playing in front of their home supporters in Kolkata could give East Bengal a significant advantage in their home matches.
The club’s recent victory over Al Arabi has already demonstrated its ability to handle pressure on the continental stage.
The next objective will be to maintain that level of performance throughout the group stage.
A successful group campaign would take East Bengal into the knockout phase and give the players further exposure to high-level Asian competition.
It would also strengthen the club’s position as one of India’s leading representatives in continental football.
The exact match schedule and venues will now be eagerly awaited by East Bengal supporters.
What is already clear, however, is that the Kolkata club face a demanding Asian campaign.
Al Hussein, Al Shorta and Al Seeb will all pose different challenges.
East Bengal will need consistency, defensive discipline and the attacking confidence they showed against Al Arabi.
If they can reproduce that combination, the Kolkata giants could have a genuine opportunity to progress from Group D.
For now, the message from the draw is simple: East Bengal have a tough group, but they also have a major opportunity.
The journey towards the AFC Champions League Two knockout stage begins here.
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