ISL clubs FC Goa & East Bengal FC opponents for ACL Two 2026-27 qualifers revealed
ACL Two 2026-27 preliminary stage matches to be played on 12th August
With the uncertainty around Indian club football finally going away, the ISL clubs are set to return to the continental stage when the Super Cup champions FC Goa and ISL champions East Bengal FC play their matches in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two 2026-27 preliminary stage.
Indian clubs recently lost their direct ACL Two group stage spot due to the various reasons, as a result the Indian clubs will now have to play the qualification match to secure a spot in the group stage of the ACL Two 2026-27.
The matches for the preliminary stage are going to take place on the 12th of August, with FC Goa ready to face the champions of Turkmenistan FK Arkadag and East Bengal FC to host Kuwaiti side Al Arabi SC.
A look at the preliminary stage fixtures
The fixtures of the ACL Two preliminary stage will be played on 12th of August. The three winners from the fixtures will get their spot in the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage.
The Super Cup winners, FC Goa, will travel to Turkmenistan to face the champions of Turkmenistan, FK Arkadag, at the Arkadag Stadium. On the other hand, ISL champions East Bengal FC will host the Kuwaiti side Al Arabi SC at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata.
The third match will be played between the Indonesian side, Persib Bandung and Manila Digger FC from the Philippines.
The equation is simple, win your preliminary stage match and get a spot in ACL Two 2026-27.
FC Goa to face the Turkmenistan champions
FC Goa are facing a tough opponent in the form of the Turkmenistan champions FK Arkadag, that too away from home.
The club competes in Turkmenistan’s top-tier league and is the reigning champion. The Turkmen side was founded in 2023 and have since enjoyed success. Arkadag won the inaugural AFC Challenge League in 2025 and also qualified for the ACL Two knockout stage last season, where they were eliminated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
This will be a tough test for the Gaurs and they will now have to get ready for this humongous challenge.
East Bengal to host Kuwait’s runner up
The ISL champions will be welcoming the Kuwaiti side Al Arabi SC at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata, on 12th August.
Al Arabi became the first club from Kuwait to compete in the AFC Cup and are a well decorated historic club having won 64 official trophies so far, the most by any Kuwaiti football team.
They will certainly look to make things tricky for East Bengal FC when they face them in Kolkata.
Who will East Bengal FC & FC Goa face in ACL Two preliminary stage?
East Bengal FC and FC Goa will take on Al Arabi SC and FK Arkadag respectively.
When will the ACL Two preliminary stage matches take place?
The preliminary stage matches will take place on 12th August.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.