East Bengal to host Al-Arabi in ACL Two preliminary on August 12; FanCode to stream

East Bengal FC will host Al-Arabi SC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 12th August in an ACL Two Preliminary Stage match, the game kicking off at 7:00 pm IST and being shown live on FanCode.

Indian clubs are set to return to continental competition, with ISL 2025-26 champions East Bengal FC among those involved and Super Cup champions FC Goa also scheduled to play preliminary-stage matches on 12th August, according to the report from Khel Now.

Tickets for the East Bengal v Al-Arabi match are available online via the District app and website, and organisers expect the stands at VYBK to be filled with East Bengal supporters backing their side in Kolkata.

Al-Arabi SC arrive in Kolkata as runners-up of the Kuwaiti League; Khel Now notes they were the first club from Kuwait to compete in the AFC Cup and have won 64 official trophies, the most by any Kuwaiti football team so far.

Under coach Antonio Lopez Habas, East Bengal are being urged to begin the fixture strongly to avoid pressure as the club seeks a positive start under his management, the article reports.

Nacho Monsalve’s injury concern has raised the possibility that East Bengal may field an All Indian backline for the match, a selection challenge highlighted by Khel Now.

The winner of this preliminary tie will secure a place in the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage, with the outcome deciding which side advances to the next phase of the competition.