Following a decisive 4-1 victory over Al Arabi SC of Kuwait in the Preliminary Stage last Wednesday, East Bengal secured their spot in the group stage. This upcoming participation will be their ninth in the history of Asia's second-tier men's club competition and their first since 2015, when the tournament was known as the AFC Cup, according to a statement from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Group Dynamics and Opponent Overview
In this competitive group, East Bengal will face formidable opponents. Al Hussein SC, the champions of the Jordanian Pro League for the 2025-26 season, will present a tough challenge. Al Shorta SC, who finished as runners-up in the Iraq Stars League, and Al Seeb Club, the champions of the Oman Professional League, further enhance the competitive nature of Group D.
The tournament features a total of 32 teams, split evenly between the West and East Zones, organized into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, which is set to take place from February 9 to 18, 2027. East Bengal will compete in a double-round robin format, facing each of their group opponents both home and away.
Upcoming Schedule and Tournament Structure
The group stage is scheduled to commence on September 15 and will run until December 9. Following the group matches, the quarter-finals and semi-finals are slated for March 2-18 and April 6-14, respectively, culminating in the final match on May 15, 2027. This structured timeline promises an exciting season for East Bengal FC as they aim to make a significant impact in the tournament.
