East Bengal FC set to face rivals from Malaysia, Guam and Bangladesh in AFC Women’s Champions League
East Bengal FC will travel to Malaysia for the preliminary stage
East Bengal FC were drawn alongside Sabah FA (Malaysia), Rovers FC (Guam), and Rajshahi Stars FC (Bangladesh) in Group A of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Preliminary Stage, following the draw conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
East Bengal, the champions of the Indian Women’s League 2025-26, will make their second appearance in Asia’s premier women’s club competition.
Last season, they qualified from the Preliminary Stage and then became the first Indian side to win a match in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.
Malaysia set to host the preliminary stage
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This season, the Moshal Girls will travel to Malaysia to play the Preliminary Stage, which will be held in a single round-robin centralised league format from August 17 to 23, 2026. 24 clubs have been divided into six groups of four each, with each group winner advancing to the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage.
They will join the six clubs that qualified directly: defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC (DPR Korea) and the top-ranked quintet of Melbourne City FC (Australia), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (Korea Republic), INAC Kobe Leonessa (Japan), Beijing Jingtan FC (China) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (Vietnam).
Upon the conclusion of the Preliminary Stage, a Group Stage Draw is scheduled for September to chart the route to glory for the 12 qualified clubs prior to the first matchday in November.
Draw result
- Group A: East Bengal FC (IND), Sabah FA (MAS) – hosts, Rovers FC (GUM), Rajshahi Stars FC (BAN)
- Group B: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), TSL FC (HKG), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM), FC Ilbirs (KGZ) – hosts
- Group C: Banaat FC (UAE), PFC Nasaf (UZB) – hosts, Master FC (LAO), Royal Thimphu College FC (BHU)
- Group D: College of Asian Scholars (THA) – hosts, 4.25 SC (PRK), Kharaatsai FC (MNG), S’Amuser FC (TLS)
- Group E: Bam Khatoon FC (IRN), Etihad Club (JOR), Al Nassr Club (KSA), FC CSKA Dushanbe (TJK) – hosts
- Group F: New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE), Ayeyawady FC – Women (MYA) – hosts, FC Jurong (SGP), No Limits FC (LBN)
East Bengal FC’s schedule for the preliminary stage
- August 17: East Bengal FC vs Rajshahi Stars FC
- August 20: Rovers FC vs East Bengal FC
- August 23: East Bengal FC vs Sabah FA
Hosts: Malaysia
When will East Bengal FC begin their AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage campaign?
East Bengal FC will face Rajshahi Stars FC on August 17th to begin their campaign.
Who are the opponents of East Bengal FC in AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage?
East Bengal FC were drawn alongside Sabah FA (Malaysia), Rovers FC (Guam), and Rajshahi Stars FC (Bangladesh) in Group A of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Preliminary Stage.
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