Which clubs will represent India in the AFC club competitions in 2026-27 season?

East Bengal are the champions of the 2025/26 ISL season.

When the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season came to an end, uncertainty surrounded the future of Indian football. There was little clarity over whether the league would even return for the 2025-26 campaign, while several clubs were battling difficult financial conditions that raised serious doubts over their continuity.

For a while after the conclusion of the Durand Cup, it almost felt as though FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two campaign would be the only major competition involving an ISL club this season.

But football eventually returned, bringing relief and excitement back to fans and players alike. The 2025/26 campaign began with the AIFF Super Cup before the Indian Super League resumed, delivering a dramatic title race that went right down to the final day despite a considerable decline in the overall quality of the competition.

History has been made!!🏆🔥East Bengal FC are the ISL 2025–26 Champions! 22 years of waiting.22 years of hope.And now, glory finally returns to East Bengal FC ❤️💛A full house, deafening celebrations, and a night the Red & Gold faithful will never forget.#ISL… pic.twitter.com/LBct9dLmCi

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 21, 2026

Now, with the domestic season concluded, the winners of the ISL and the Super Cup have been rewarded with the opportunity to represent India on the continental stage next season as a token of appreciation for their domestic dominance. Here’s a look at the clubs that will carry the Indian flag in Asia and the competition they will feature in.

How many slots does India have in AFC club competitions?

Despite having one direct group-stage slot and one preliminary-stage slot in the AFC Champions League Two last season, India has now lost the direct qualification berth.

Under the AFC’s Member Association eligibility rules, nations that fail to meet the required criteria are only awarded indirect slots in continental competitions.

And as Indian clubs have not fulfilled the minimum number of games played criteria for the top tier of a country, which is set to be 27 matches for each team, it is likely the ACL 2 2026-27 direct group stage slot could be converted into a qualifier slot by the AFC.

Also, FC Goa’s winless campaign and Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s withdrawal from the competition due to security concerns significantly impacted India’s AFC club coefficient ranking.

As a result, India’s allocation for the 2026/27 AFC club competitions has been reduced to just two preliminary-stage slots in the AFC Champions League Two.

Also Read: India land only two spots for AFC 2026-27 club competition

Which clubs will represent India in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two?

With India receiving two preliminary-stage berths, the winners of the 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup and the Indian Super League will represent the country in Asia next season.

FC Goa will once again feature on the continental stage after successfully defending their Super Cup title by defeating East Bengal in the 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup final in December 2025. The Gaurs endured a difficult AFC Champions League Two campaign last season where they failed to register a victory, although moments such as Brison Fernandes’ memorable goal against Al Nassr provided fans with something to celebrate.

This time, however, if there is more clarity on the future of football in India for next season, FC Goa will hope to strengthen their squad and produce a far more competitive side to establish themselves at Asian stage.

Joining them will be East Bengal, who return to continental football after winning the 2025/26 ISL title and ending a 22-year wait for a national league title. The Red and Gold Brigade will replace their arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant as India’s representatives and will make their return at the Asian stage after featuring in the AFC Challenge League during the 2024/25 season.

While excitement among East Bengal supporters is understandably high, the club will enter the continental campaign without head coach Oscar Bruzon, who has decided to leave despite the recent success amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League.

Who could FC Goa and East Bengal face in the preliminary stage?

Six clubs will participate in the preliminary stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two. The teams will compete in one-off knockout fixtures, with the three winners advancing to the main tournament while the losing sides will drop into the AFC Challenge League group stage.

The clubs that are currently expected to feature in the preliminary stage are:

West Zone

• FC Goa – 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup winners (India)
• East Bengal – 2025/26 ISL champions (India)
• FK Arkadag – 2025 Yokary Liga champions (Turkmenistan)
• 2025/26 Kuwait Premier League runners-up

East Zone

• 2025/26 Indonesia Super League champions
• 2025/26 Philippines Football League champions

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