Kolkata: East Bengal FC have been drawn in Group D of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two alongside Al Hussein SC of Jordan, Al Shorta SC of Iraq and Al Seeb Club of Oman, setting up a challenging continental campaign for the Indian club. The group-stage draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. East Bengal secured their place in the competition’s main phase after producing a remarkable comeback against Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC in the preliminary round. The Kolkata-based club defeated Al Arabi 4-1 after extra time at the Salt Lake Stadium. After trailing following a second-half penalty, East Bengal levelled through Jay Gupta before Mohammed Rashid, David Lalhlansanga and Rohit Danu scored in extra time to seal a memorable victory.
East Bengal will now face three strong opponents in Group D. Al Hussein are the Jordanian Pro League champions, while Al Shorta finished runners-up in Iraq’s Stars League. Al Seeb enter the competition as champions of the Oman Professional League. The group consists of four teams, with the top two advancing to the Round of 16. East Bengal’s qualification marks their return to the group stage of Asia’s second-tier club competition for the first time since 2015, when the tournament was known as the AFC Cup.
The draw gives East Bengal another opportunity to make an impact on the continental stage after their dramatic victory over Al Arabi. The Red-and-Gold brigade will now look to carry that momentum into the group phase and challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.
