East Bengal join Mohun Bagan SG and FC Goa in AFC Champions League Two group stage
East Bengal FC secured a place in the AFC Champions League Two group stage this season, joining Mohun Bagan SG and FC Goa. The qualification was achieved after a comeback that saw them win in extra time to clinch progression.
Mohun Bagan SG were the first Indian club to appear in the AFC Champions League Two group stage and they qualified in consecutive seasons. In the 2024-25 ACL Two campaign they were drawn with Tractor, Ravshan and Al-Wakrah and opened with a 0-0 home draw against Ravshan. The club refused to travel to Tabriz, Iran for their scheduled fixture against Tractor on 2nd October, 2024, citing political unrest and security concerns.
Mohun Bagan again reached the 2025-26 ACL Two group stage and were placed with Sepahan, Ahal FC and Al-Hussein from Jordan. The club declined to travel for their match against Sepahan on 24th September, 2025. As a result of that decision, the AFC imposed a ban on Mohun Bagan and fined the club.
East Bengal secured their group-stage berth after a 4-1 victory in extra time, described in the source as a late comeback by the Red & Gold Brigade. Jay Gupta, MD Rashid, David Hmar and Rohit Danu scored the goals that completed the win. That result confirmed East Bengal FC’s entry into the ACL Two main round for this season.
FC Goa featured in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two group stage, drawn into Group D alongside Al-Nassr, Al-Zawraa and Istiklol. They hosted Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at home and faced the other two sides in the group. FC Goa lost all their group matches and finished with a -11 goal difference, a campaign the source described as an immense experience for The Gaurs to represent India on the Asian stage.
With East Bengal now through to the main round, the three Indian clubs that have featured in AFC Champions League Two group stages are Mohun Bagan SG, FC Goa and East Bengal FC. East Bengal will compete in the ACL Two group stage this season after securing their spot.