AFC Women's Champions League 2025-26: Who are East Bengal's opponents in preliminary stage?

East Bengal are reigning champions of Indian Women’s League 2024-25

The race to qualify for the group stages of Asia’s premier women’s club competition has begun after the draw that took place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of nineteen teams from the length and breadth of Asia will feature in the preliminary stages, divided into five groups.

India’s solitary hope in the competition and reigning Indian Women’s League champions, East Bengal FC, have been drawn in Group E alongside Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC and Phnom Penh Crown FC of Cambodia in Group E. The matches are scheduled on 25, 28 and 31 August 2025.

The table toppers of all five groups will secure a ticket to the most exciting group stage rounds of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26.

A close look at East Bengal’s opponents

Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC are a well-known and one of the most successful sides in the Hong Kong women’s footballing domain. They completed their hat-trick of championships after clinching the Hong Kong Women’s League for a historic fourth time.

Phnom Penh, on the other hand, return to the continental spotlight after winning the Cambodian Women’s League for the second time this season after having previously conquered the domestic league back in the 2021-22 season as well.

Can East Bengal become third Indian side to qualify for AFC Women’s Champions League?

The Indian clubs have performed decently in the AFC Women’s Champions League in the last four editions. After Gokulam Kerala finished third in the 2021 edition, their women’s team went on to represent India for three consecutive years.

Last season, Odisha FC toppled Jordan’s Etihad and Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in the preliminary round to qualify for the group stage fixtures. However, their campaign ended in a catastrophe after they lost all of their three games in the group stage round.

East Bengal have a golden opportunity to create history by becoming the third Indian side to make it to the group stages of the AFC Women’s Champions League. They have an uphill task ahead, but Anthony Andrew’s girls are in excellent form to get the better of their opponents and emerge as the table toppers of Group E.

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