East Bengal, the champions of the Indian Women’s League 2025-26, will make their second appearance in Asia's premier women's club competition. Last season, they qualified from the Preliminary Stage and then became the first Indian side to win a match in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage.
This season, the Moshal Girls will travel to Malaysia to play the Preliminary Stage, which will be held in a single round-robin centralised league format from August 17 to 23, 2026. 24 clubs have been divided into six groups of four each, with each group winner advancing to the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage. They will join the six clubs that qualified directly: defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC (DPR Korea) and the top-ranked quintet of Melbourne City FC (Australia), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (Korea Republic), INAC Kobe Leonessa (Japan), Beijing Jingtan FC (China) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (Vietnam).
Upon the conclusion of the Preliminary Stage, a Group Stage Draw is scheduled for September to chart the route to glory for the 12 qualified clubs prior to the first matchday in November.
Draw result
Group A: East Bengal FC (IND), Sabah FA (MAS) - hosts, Rovers FC (GUM), Rajshahi Stars FC (BAN)
Group B: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), TSL FC (HKG), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM), FC Ilbirs (KGZ) - hosts
Group C: Banaat FC (UAE), PFC Nasaf (UZB) - hosts, Master FC (LAO), Royal Thimphu College FC (BHU)
Group D: College of Asian Scholars (THA) - hosts, 4.25 SC (PRK), Kharaatsai FC (MNG), S’Amuser FC (TLS)
Group E: Bam Khatoon FC (IRN), Etihad Club (JOR), Al Nassr Club (KSA), FC CSKA Dushanbe (TJK) - hosts
Group F: New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE), Ayeyawady FC - Women (MYA) - hosts, FC Jurong (SGP), No Limits FC (LBN)
East Bengal FC's schedule in the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Preliminary Stage
August 17: East Bengal FC vs Rajshahi Stars FC
August 20: Rovers FC vs East Bengal FC
August 23: East Bengal FC vs Sabah FA
Hosts: Malaysia