In a significant development for the sport in the region, Kolkata has been selected to host the Group B matches. The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 1 to 7, 2026, marking the first time India will serve as a host nation for the AFC Women’s Champions League. East Bengal FC earned their spot in the group stage for the second year in a row after a successful campaign in the preliminary stage in Kota Kinabalu, where they topped a group that included Sabah FA, Rovers FC, and Rajshahi Stars FC.
Tournament Format and Qualification Path
The 2026-27 edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The competition follows a centralised league format, with each team looking to secure a place in the knockout stages. For East Bengal FC, the objective is clear: the club is aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The path to the next round is competitive, with the three group winners, three runners-up, and the two best-ranked third-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals. Following the conclusion of the group stage, a separate draw will be held in December 2026 to determine the quarter-final pairings, which are slated to be played in March 2027. Notably, the three group winners and the highest-ranked runner-up will earn the right to host these quarter-final matches.
Group B Schedule and Competition
East Bengal FC will face a challenging schedule on home soil. Their campaign begins on November 1 against Ho Chi Minh City WFC. They will then face Hwacheon KSPO WFC on November 4, before concluding their group stage fixtures against 4.25 SC on November 7. The opposition represents the elite of their respective domestic leagues, with Hwacheon KSPO arriving as WK League champions, Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnamese Women's League winners, and 4.25 SC as the reigning champions of the DPR Korea Women's Premier League.
The full draw for the tournament also includes Group A, featuring Naegohyang Women's FC, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Bam Khatoon FC, and hosts Ayeyawady FC. Group C consists of Melbourne City FC, Beijing Jingtan FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, and hosts PFC Nasaf. As the host city for Group B, Kolkata will be the focal point for these high-stakes encounters as the Indian side looks to make their mark on the continental stage.
