Indian clubs' with most appearances in AFC competitions since coming into ISL

Mohun Bagan will be playing in Asia for the fifth time this season, since becoming a part of the ISL!

The Indian Super League (ISL) was officially recognised by the AFC in the 2017-18 season and the winners of the tournament were given a slot in the AFC Cup.

Since then, India has also been awarded an Asian slot for the Super Cup winners, the official cup competition in the country.

Take a look at the number of times Indian clubs have appeared on the Asian Stage since joining the Indian Super League! #IndianFootball #AFC #ISL pic.twitter.com/07kxB7gWCs

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 10, 2025

Overall, seven clubs have so far punched their ticket to Asian competition since becoming a part of the ISL. The clubs are as follows:

Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 5 times

The Kolkata-based side has seen a lot of success in the ISL, winning two ISL Shields and two ISL Cups. As ATK Mohun Bagan, the Mariners played in the 2021 and 2022 AFC Cup, making it to the inter-zone playoffs on both occassions.

After becoming Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the club has suffered a rough patch, getting knocked out in the group stage of the 2023-24 AFC Cup and being expelled from the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two in the 2024-25 season.

Having won the ISL Shield, Mohun Bagan will once again play in the AFC Champions League Two next season as they look to go past the group stage once again.

Bengaluru FC – 3 times

Bengaluru FC played in the AFC Cup in the 2018 season, making it to the inter-zone semifinal. Though they were an ISL club at that time, they had booked their ticket to Asian football by winning the Federation Cup a year earlier.

Through the Indian Super League, BFC qualified to the AFC Cup in 2020 as the ISL Cup winners, but got knocked out before even entering the group stage. The Blues again got a chance to play in the 2021 AFC Cup where they finished third in their group behind ATK Mohun Bagan and Bashundhara Kings.

FC Goa – 2 times

FC Goa played in the AFC Champions League 2021 courtesy of winning the ISL League Shield in the 2019-20 season. The Gaurs became the first ISL club to play in Asia’s top competition and third in their group with three draws in six games.

Now that Manolo Marquez’s side have won the Kalinga Super Cup, they have booked their place in the qualifiers of the AFC Champions League Two for the 2025-26 season.

Mumbai City FC – 2 times

Courtesy of winning the ISL Shield in the 2020-21 and the 2022-23 season, Mumbai City have represented India in the AFC Champions League twice. The Islanders’ 2023 Champions League campaign was exceptional in particular as they won two games and finished second in their group. However, they failed to progress out of their group in both seasons.

Chennaiyin FC – 1 time

The Marina Machans created history by winning the 2017-18 ISL Cup and becoming the first ever club from the league to play continental football. Chennaiyin FC competed in the AFC Cup 2019, however they finished second in their group behind Dhaka Abahani and failed to qualify for the knockout stage.

East Bengal FC – 1 time

East Bengal won the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup and qualified to the qualifying playoffs of the AFC Champions League 2. However, the Red and Gold Brigade failed to make it to the group stage and dropped to the AFC Challenge League.

In the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League, East Bengal topped their group and made it to the quarterfinals before losing to Arkadag.

Odisha FC – 1 time

The Kalinga Warriors won the 2023 Super Cup and qualified to the AFC Cup in the 2023-24 season. Odisha FC won their group, beating the likes of Mohun Bagan before losing out to the Central Coast Mariners in the knockouts.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.