FC Goa's AFC Champions League Two campaign concluded with a 0-3 loss to Turkmenistan's FC Arkadag, relegating the Indian club to the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian club football.
Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal are set to face Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a critical AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout fixture. The single-leg qualifier will determine a spot in the group stage, with East Bengal navigating squad challenges under new coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
East Bengal, fresh from their AFC Champions League Two qualifying play-off victory, are set to face a formidable Indian Army Football Team in the Durand Cup quarterfinals. The match, crucial for a spot in the semi-finals, will test East Bengal's momentum against the Army's disciplined play. Another quarterfinal features unbeaten SC Delhi against debutants FC Raengdai.
The Champions League Two features 32 clubs divided into eight groups - four West, four East - of four teams each for the group stage, which will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from September 17 to December 5.
East Bengal staged a stunning comeback from 0-1 down to beat Al Arabi SC 4-1 in extra time and seal their place in the AFC Champions League Two group
East Bengal FC has been drawn into Group B of the AFC Women's Champions League, alongside strong teams from South Korea, Vietnam, and North Korea. Kolkata will host this group stage in November 2026, marking a significant milestone for Indian football.
FC Goa went down 1-2 to Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr in their third Group A fixture of the AFC Champions League Two, in Margao, on Wednesday.
Substitute Enwer Annayev struck late as Turkmenistan's Ahal FK stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in their opening Group C match of the AFC Champions League 2
East Bengal FC's women's team defeated Sabah FA 2-0 to secure their place in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage for the second consecutive time, a historic first for an Indian club. Goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth sealed their victory, topping Group A with a perfect record.
East Bengal's women's team secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Rajshahi Stars FC of Bangladesh in their AFC Women's Champions League Preliminary Round opener, with Olivia Anokye scoring a brace and India internationals Astam Oraon and Soumya Guguloth adding to the tally.
Dempo's dream of qualifying for the AFC Champions League went up in smoke after the Goan side went down 0-3 to Al Sharjah in the one-off qualifier at the Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.
East Bengal FC squandered a two-goal lead against Jordanian champions Al Hussein SC, settling for a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two Group D opener.
FC Goa has been drawn into a challenging group for the AFC Challenge League 2026-27, Asia's third-tier men's club competition. They will face Qadsia SC of Kuwait, Fortis FC of Bangladesh, and FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan in Group C, with matches hosted in Kuwait. This follows their recent exit from the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage.
Speaking on the achievement, Goa FC's talismanic Spaniard Ferran Corominas said, "This one is for our supporters. From the moment I set foot on Indian soil I have felt nothing but loved. We came so close the last two seasons, and to finally be able to give this piece of joy back to our fans, I feel overjoyed."
AIFF Super Cup winners FC Goa are set to face Turkmenistan's dominant FC Arkadag in a single-leg qualifying match for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. This crucial encounter marks former India defender Gouramangi Singh's debut as head coach for FC Goa, who enter the playoff with a depleted squad. The winner advances to the group stage, while the loser drops to the AFC Challenge League.
I-League: Churchill Brothers hand Mohammedan Sporting first defeat of season
The group stage draw of the continent's top-tier league involving 40 teams was held online in Margao.
East Bengal FC is set to face Kuwait's Al-Arabi SC in a pivotal AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage match at Salt Lake Stadium, with tickets starting from Rs 149. This high-stakes fixture will determine the Indian Super League champions' continental future, offering a chance to secure a spot in the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage or drop into the AFC Challenge League.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant pulled out of their Tuesday's match against Isfahan after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran following "advisories from their respective countries".
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed several Asian Champions League Elite and Two matches scheduled to be played in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
India's football faces a setback as it receives only one play-off slot for the 2027-28 AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asia's club structure, due to administrative issues and declining performance.
Indian football hero of '80s, Chibuzor dies
Bengaluru FC now have the possibility of facing another Indian side in Mohun Bagan at the group stage of the AFC Cup.
FC Seoul and Al Nasr inched closer to a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League following comprehensive victories in their respective quarter-final first leg matches on Wednesday.
At a time when Indian football is staring at unprecedented uncertainty with its domestic season in limbo, the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday delivered a triple blow to the country's top club
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 969th career goal as Al-Nassr thrash Al-Wasl 4-0 to reach the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals, moving closer to the 1000-goal milestone.
Quoting a source close to the club, the Al-Nassr team will leave for Goa on Monday afternoon without injured Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, in addition to a number of foreign players.
AFC relocates four postponed Asian Champions League Elite last-16 ties to Jeddah as single-leg matches amid Middle East tensions.
Punjab FC has announced the double signing of forward Gurkirat Singh and defender Nishchal Chandan, bolstering their squad for the 2026-27 Indian Super League season. Both players have signed two-year agreements, bringing significant experience and talent to the Shers.
Anthony Andrews, a highly successful coach in Indian women's football, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India U17 women's national team. He will continue his dual role with East Bengal FC while preparing the Young Tigresses for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
Anthony Andrews, the highly successful coach of East Bengal FC, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India Under-17 women's national team. He joins the team in Tashkent for friendly matches ahead of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, bringing his extensive experience and winning record, including four IWL titles and continental success with East Bengal.
FC Goa players pause play during ACL 2 match against FC Istiklol to highlight ISL's uncertainty
Indian club FC Goa will have their task cut out as they look to carry their domestic form into the international arena when they face Saudi giants Al Nassr in a vital AFC Champions League Two Group D fixture, in Riyadh, on Wednesday.
AIFF waiting for AFC response over continental slots for ISL clubs in case of fewer matches
Manchester City secured a narrow 1-0 victory over promoted Coventry City in the Premier League, maintaining their perfect start to the season despite a significant spending spree. Other matches saw Crystal Palace claim their first win against Fulham, while Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, Leeds, Brentford, and Sunderland all played out draws. Several teams, including Coventry and Fulham, remain without points after three games.
Manolo Marquez, a highly successful coach in Indian football, has been appointed as the new head coach for Mumbai City FC on a one-year contract for the 2026-2027 season. Marquez brings a wealth of experience, including leading Hyderabad FC to an ISL Cup title and coaching the Indian national team.
Pune FC's dream of making it into the AFC Champions League group-stage came to an end after a 0-3 defeat to Vietnamese-side Hanoi T&T FC at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi (Pune) on Wednesday.
'With the exception of any additional slot(s) allocated to a Member Association in accordance with Articles 3.4 and 3.5, Member Associations that fail to fulfil the Member Association Eligibility Criteria shall, subject to Article 4.4, be eligible to be allocated only indirect slots for the relevant AFC Club Competition.'
Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country after Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries.
The match simmered, waiting for a spark, until Al Zawraa found it on the cusp of half-time. Hassan Abdulkareem's clever ball found Kadhim Raad, who cut back for Reziq Banihani. A messy deflection, a ricochet off Nim Dorjee Tamang, and the ball nestled cruelly into Goa's net.
