Why will ISL 2025-26 winners East Bengal not get direct spot in AFC Champions League 2 group stage?
The Red and Gold Brigade have represented India 18 times in Asia previously.
East Bengal FC have created history by becoming the champions of India after a long wait of 22 years. Oscar Bruzon’s men went on to register a historic comeback at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata against former I-League winners Inter Kashi to win top Indian honours.
East Bengal will be back in continental football after a season and will be hoping to continue their impressive form in Asia. The Red and Gold Brigade holds the record for representing India in continental tournaments 18 times, the most by any Indian club in decades.
However, in a bittersweet moment, East Bengal, despite winning the ISL Championship, still won’t be getting a direct slot to the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2.
They will compete in the AFC Champions League 2 qualifier game. If they win, they advance to the AFC Challenge League 2 group stages.
In this article, we find out more about why East Bengal will need to win the ACL 2 qualifier match to confirm their participation in the second-highest division of continental football in Asia.
Why did India lose direct spot in the AFC Champions League Two Group Stage?
The Indian Super League 2025-26 season was marred by uncertainties after the expiration of the Masters Right Agreement by AIFF and FSDL. The season started after months of delay in mid-February and in a constricted season, every team played a maximum of 13 games only.
However, guidelines from the AFC strictly mandate clubs to play a minimum of 27 games to get a continental berth. India technically violated the structural criteria, but AFC granted India a temporary, one-season grace exemption to keep playing in the tournament.
However, India’s luxury to compete directly in the AFC Champions League 2 was stripped off, and now East Bengal will have to make peace with just an indirect spot to ACL 2 alongside the Gaurs.
Sanctions on Mohun Bagan and poor performance by Indian clubs also made things worse
ISL 2024-25 champions Mohun Bagan were drawn alongside Sepahan FC of Iran, and the Mariners refused to travel to Iran, citing safety concerns. The AFC banned Mohun Bagan from participating in the next continental tournament for two years
The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee officially disqualified Mohun Bagan and hit them with over 400,000 USD in cumulative fines and forfeited subsidies, too.
Indian clubs have also failed to fare well in continental tournaments. Despite a hopeful campaign in ACL 2, Gaurs failed to clinch even a point, and teams like Mumbai City FC also ended their campaign without a win in previous editions of the AFC Champions League.
East Bengal last reached the quarterfinals of AFC Challenge League
After defeat to Turkmen outfit Altyn Asyr in the ACL 2 Qualifiers, East Bengal were drawn alongside Nejmeh of Lebanon, Paro of Bhutan and Basundhara Kings of Bangladesh. The Red and Gold Brigade topped their group after winning two of their three games.
In the quarterfinals, they faced another Turkmen outfit, Arkadag, who defeated them 1-0 and 2-1 in the two-legged game. That defeat ended East Bengal’s campaign in Asia, and eventually, Arkadag went on to become the champions of the AFC Challenge League that season.
Why will East Bengal not get a direct AFC Champions League 2 group-stage spot?
East Bengal will not receive a direct ACL2 group-stage berth because India lost its automatic qualification slot after failing to meet AFC competition criteria and suffering a drop in the club coefficient rankings.
Why did India lose its direct ACL2 slot?
India failed to satisfy the AFC’s minimum requirement of 27 domestic league matches per club during the 2025-26 season. As a result, the country’s direct berth was converted into a qualifying slot.
Which AFC competition will East Bengal play in next season?
East Bengal will compete in the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers. Winning the playoff will send them into the ACL2 group stage.
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In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.