East Bengal FC in AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group B draw
Synopsis
East Bengal FC's Group B draw pits India's women's football flag-bearer against three national champions from South Korea, Vietnam, and DPR Korea — all on home soil in Kolkata. It is the first time the AFC Women's Champions League reaches India, and East Bengal's first real shot at a quarter-final.
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 — the first AFC Women's Champions League games played in India .
East Bengal qualified as Group A toppers in the Preliminary Stage in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
The club aims to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their AFC Women's Champions League history.
The tournament features 12 teams across three groups; quarter-finals in March , semi-finals and final in May .
East Bengal FC have been placed in Group B of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage alongside Hwacheon KSPO WFC (Korea Republic), Ho Chi Minh City WFC (Vietnam), and 4.25 SC (DPR Korea), following the draw held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 3 September. Kolkata will serve as the host city for Group B fixtures from 1 to 7 November, making this the first time the AFC Women's Champions League is staged on Indian soil.
How East Bengal Reached the Group Stage
The Indian Women's League champions secured their berth in the Group Stage for the second consecutive year, finishing top of Group A in the Preliminary Stage held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. They edged out Sabah FA (Malaysia), Rovers FC (Guam), and Rajshahi Stars FC (Bangladesh) to advance.
Group B Opponents and Their Credentials
East Bengal face formidable opposition: Hwacheon KSPO WFC are the reigning WK League champions from South Korea, Ho Chi Minh City WFC hold the Vietnamese Women's League title, and 4.25 SC are champions of the DPR Korea Women's Premier League. The Kolkata club will aim to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in their AFC Women's Champions League history.
East Bengal's Fixture Schedule
East Bengal's three Group B matches are scheduled as follows: 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. All matches will be played in Kolkata as the designated host.
Tournament Format and What Comes Next
The third edition of the AFC Women's Champions League features 12 teams 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 will advance to the Knockout Stage. Quarter-finals — hosted by the top four clubs as single-leg ties — are scheduled for March, while the Semi-finals and Final will be held at a centralised venue in May. This is the first AFC Women's Champions League campaign to feature an Indian host city at the Group Stage.
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)
Point of View
Including South Korea's WK League winners, in a group Kolkata must host. The historic first staging of the AFC Women's Champions League in India raises the stakes beyond club football: how the infrastructure, crowds, and broadcast coverage perform will shape whether India bids for future editions. East Bengal advancing to the quarter-finals would be transformative for Indian women's club football, but the path through Hwacheon KSPO and 4.25 SC is genuinely difficult.
NationPress
3 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 of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage, alongside Hwacheon KSPO WFC (Korea Republic), Ho Chi Minh City WFC (Vietnam), and 4.25 SC (DPR Korea). The draw was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on 3 September.
Where and when will East Bengal FC's Group B matches be played?
All Group B matches will be hosted in Kolkata from 1 to 7 November 2026. East Bengal play Ho Chi Minh City WFC on 1 November, Hwacheon KSPO WFC on 4 November, and 4.25 SC on 7 November.
Is this the first time the AFC Women's Champions League is being held in India?
Yes, Kolkata hosting Group B marks the first time the AFC Women's Champions League has been staged in India. It is part of the tournament's centralised group format, with each group assigned a host nation.
How did East Bengal FC qualify for the Group Stage?
East Bengal FC topped Group A of the Preliminary Stage held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, finishing ahead of Sabah FA, Rovers FC, and Rajshahi Stars FC. This is their second consecutive Group Stage appearance.
How does the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 knockout format work?
After the Group Stage, the three group winners, three runners-up, and two best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the Knockout Stage. Quarter-finals are single-leg ties hosted by the top four clubs in March, with semi-finals and the final at a centralised venue in May.
