Which teams have represented India in AFC Women's Champions League?
East Bengal FC topped their group in the preliminary stage
The continental stage awaits Indian women’s football as it has made a mark on the Asian stage, with East Bengal FC Women’s side are all set to take part for the second time in the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League.
Both the Odisha FC Women’s team and East Bengal FC’s Women’s team have represented India in the AFC Women’s Champions League, as the Juggernauts were the first Indian side to take part in the competition in the 2024-25 edition after winning the 2023-24 Indian Women’s League.
Then East Bengal FC took over the streak as they have managed to qualify for the group stage of the Asian competition back-to-back twice, which surely brings global exposure and helps Indian Women’s football to a great extent.
Odisha FC
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Odisha FC women’s side created history in 2024-25 when they became the first-ever Indian club to compete in the AFC Women’s Champions League as they earned their place after winning their Indian Women’s League title in the 2023-24 season.
The Juggernauts began their competition in the preliminary stage, where they defeated Lion City Sailors 4-1 and then edged past Etihad Club, the hosts of the tournament. After a very dominant performance in the preliminary stage games, they finished top of the group points table with six points in their hands as they secured their spot in the group stage games.
In the AWCL group stage, Odisha FC, the first Indian club to represent India, were placed in Group C alongside Urawa Red Diamonds , Ho Chi Minh City FC and Taichung Blue Whale. Although the Juggernauts didn’t get past the group stage as their campaign ended with heartbreak, the participation simply marked an important chapter that uplifted the stage of Indian Women’s football.
East Bengal FC
East Bengal FC Women’s team are the second Indian side to have represented India in the AFC Women’s Champions League, but they are also the first Indian club to be set to play in the AWCL group stage for the second consecutive time.
The Kolkata outfit first featured on the Asian stage in the 2025-26 season after clinching the Indian Women’s League 2024-25 title, and from where it all began as they beat Phnom Penh Crown FC 1-0 and secured a draw against Kitchee SC, which finished atop the standings to qualify for the group stage.
In the group stage, they came very close to securing their berth in the knockouts, but their last game against PFC Nasaf held the last line as they were thrashed 3-0. The 2025-26 season was a landmark season for East Bengal FC, which inspired the squad to build an even stronger team to compete in both the Indian Women’s League and also in the AWCL, as a result, they have qualified for the AFC Women’s Champions League for the second consecutive time in the 2026-27 season.
After winning the 2025-26 IWL title, the Red and Gold Brigade has successfully secured a spot in the AWCL preliminary stage, where they were placed with Rajshahi Stars FC, Rovers FC and Sabah FA. The reigning champions of India managed to power past all three teams, which advanced them to the group stage, and now they will be set to play in the next group stage matches.
Indian clubs in the AWCL
| Season | Indian representative | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Odisha FC Women | Group Stage |
| 2025–26 | East Bengal FC Women | Group Stage |
| 2026–27 | East Bengal FC Women | Qualified for Group Stage* |
Which Indian clubs have represented India in the AWCL?
Odisha FC Women and East Bengal FC Women.
Which club was India’s first representative in the AWCL?
Odisha FC Women were the first Indian club to compete in the competition.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.