East Bengal FC drawn in AFC Women's Champions League Group B with Hwacheon KSPO, Ho Chi Minh City
Synopsis
For the first time ever, India will host an AFC Women's Champions League group — and East Bengal FC are at the centre of it. Drawn in a tough Group B against South Korean, Vietnamese, and North Korean champions, the Moshal Girls face their best shot yet at a historic Quarterfinal berth when Kolkata hosts from 1 to 7 November 2026.
Key Takeaways
East Bengal FC drawn in Group B of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 alongside Hwacheon KSPO WFC , Ho Chi Minh City WFC , and 4.25 SC .
Kolkata will host Group B from 1 to 7 November 2026 — the first time India has hosted the AFC Women's Champions League.
East Bengal qualified after topping the Preliminary Stage Group A in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia .
All three Group B opponents are reigning domestic champions in their respective countries.
The top 8 teams from three groups advance to the Knockout Stage; Quarterfinals set for March 2027 .
East Bengal FC have been placed in Group B of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage, alongside Hwacheon KSPO WFC (Republic of Korea), Ho Chi Minh City WFC (Vietnam), and 4.25 SC (DPR Korea), following the draw held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, 3 September. In a historic first, Kolkata will host all Group B fixtures from 1 to 7 November 2026, marking the first time India has hosted the AFC Women's Champions League.
How East Bengal Qualified
The Moshal Girls secured their Group Stage berth for the second consecutive year after topping Group A of the Preliminary Stage held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. They finished ahead of Sabah FA (Malaysia), Rovers FC (Guam), and Rajshahi Stars FC (Bangladesh) to advance.
Group B Opponents at a Glance
East Bengal face formidable regional champions across all three group matches. Hwacheon KSPO WFC are the reigning WK League champions from South Korea, while Ho Chi Minh City WFC hold the Vietnamese Women's League title. 4.25 SC are the champions of the DPR Korea Women's Premier League. East Bengal themselves enter as the Indian Women's League champions.
East Bengal's Match Schedule in Kolkata
1 November: Ho Chi Minh City WFC vs East Bengal FC
4 November: East Bengal FC vs Hwacheon KSPO WFC
7 November: East Bengal FC vs 4.25 SC
Venue: Kolkata
Tournament Format and Path to Knockouts
The third edition of the AFC Women's Champions League features 12 teams split across three groups of four in a centralised league format. The three group winners, three runners-up, and the two best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the Knockout Stage. The Quarterfinal draw is scheduled for December 2026, with matches to be played in March 2027. The three group winners and the best-ranked runner-up will host their respective Quarterfinal fixtures.
Full Group Stage Draw
Group A: Naegohyang Women's FC (PRK), INAC Kobe Leonessa (JPN), Bam Khatoon FC (IRN), Ayeyawady FC – Women (MYA, Host)
Group B: Hwacheon KSPO WFC (KOR), Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC (VIE), East Bengal FC (IND, Host), 4.25 SC (PRK)
Group C: Melbourne City FC (AUS), Beijing Jingtan FC (CHN), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), PFC Nasaf (UZB, Host)
East Bengal will be aiming to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time in the club's AFC Women's Champions League history — a milestone that would also represent a landmark moment for Indian women's football on the continental stage.
Point of View
But the real test is results on the pitch. East Bengal face three domestic champions — including South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO, arguably the strongest side in the group — and a Quarterfinal berth, though within reach structurally, will demand a significant step up from the Preliminary Stage. The broader significance is institutional: India's willingness to host signals growing investment in women's continental football, but that narrative only holds if the home side advances.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which group is East Bengal FC in for the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27?
East Bengal FC are in Group B, alongside Hwacheon KSPO WFC (South Korea), Ho Chi Minh City WFC (Vietnam), and 4.25 SC (DPR Korea). The group will be hosted in Kolkata from 1 to 7 November 2026.
Where will East Bengal's AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage matches be played?
All of East Bengal's Group B fixtures will be played in Kolkata, making this the first time India has hosted an AFC Women's Champions League group. Matches are scheduled for 1, 4, and 7 November 2026.
How did East Bengal qualify for the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage?
East Bengal qualified by finishing top of Group A in the Preliminary Stage held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, ahead of Sabah FA, Rovers FC, and Rajshahi Stars FC. This is their second consecutive Group Stage appearance.
What is the format of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27?
The tournament features 12 teams in three groups of four in a centralised format. The three group winners, three runners-up, and the two best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the Knockout Stage. Quarterfinals are scheduled for March 2027.
Who are East Bengal's opponents in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage?
East Bengal face Hwacheon KSPO WFC (South Korea's WK League champions), Ho Chi Minh City WFC (Vietnamese Women's League champions), and 4.25 SC (DPR Korea Women's Premier League champions) — all reigning domestic title holders.
