East Bengal FC discover a challenging Group D as the Indian champions begin their AFC Champions League Two journey

Kolkata, August 18: The champions of India are ready to begin their campaign in the AFC Champions League Two group stage for the first time. East Bengal FC, after dominating Kuwaiti side Al Arabi in the AFC Champions League Two qualifiers at home, advanced to the group stage, and the group-stage draw has now been revealed.

East Bengal FC have been placed in Group D, alongside Jordanian side Al Hussein, Iraqi side Al Shorta, and Omani side Al Seeb.

The group stage will be played in a home-and-away format, the AFC Champions League Two group stage features 32 teams, divided into the West and East regions. The teams are split into eight groups of four, with each side playing home and away. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16.

Now, let’s get to know their opponents.

Jordanian side Al Hussein SC made history in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two, reaching the quarter-finals and becoming the first Jordanian team to reach the last eight of the competition in this format. Their historic run came to an end against Qatar’s Al Ahli SC. For the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two, Al Hussein have been drawn in Group D.

Iraqi giants Al-Shorta qualified for the AFC Champions League Two after finishing as the runners-up of the 2025–26 Iraq Stars League. The club are multiple-time champions of Iraq, making them one of the most established sides in the country. With regular appearances in Asia’s elite continental competitions, Al-Shorta bring considerable continental experience to the rebranded AFC Champions League Two, where they will face East Bengal FC.

Oman’s Al-Seeb Club have a historic record in Asian football. Competing in the tournament formerly known as the AFC Cup, which has now been rebranded as the AFC Champions League Two, Al-Seeb lifted the championship title in 2022. Their victory made them the first and only Omani club to win an Asian continental football title, marking a historic milestone as the first continental trophy won by any club from Oman.

With three opponents carrying different levels of continental experience and history, Group D promises a demanding challenge for East Bengal FC. From Al Hussein’s historic quarter-final run to Al-Shorta’s pedigree in Iraqi football and Al-Seeb’s landmark Asia, each fixture will bring its own test. For East Bengal FC, the Asian stage is nothing new. The Indian champions are India’s most experienced club in continental competitions by appearances, having featured in Asia more than any other Indian side and winning several trophies, although this will be their first appearance in the competition after its rebranding as the AFC Champions League Two.

With history behind them, the Red and Gold Brigade await the path ahead.