East Bengal’s AFC Challenge Cup group stage opponents revealed

East Bengal’s opponents for the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup 2024-25 have been revealed. The Red and Gold brigade has been drawn in Group A of the tournament, and will play three domestic league champions for a spot in the knockout stages.

Carles Cuadrat led his side to the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup to earn a qualification match for the AFC Champions League 2. However, they ended up coming up short against Altyn Asyr in a 3-2 defeat, demoting them to the Challenge Cup group stage.

East Bengal’s AFC Challenge Cup group revealed

🚨BREAKING: East Bengal 🇮🇳 placed alongside Basundhara Kings 🇧🇩, hosts Paro FC 🇧🇹 and Nejmeh SC 🇱🇧 in Challenge league. pic.twitter.com/ONb6bdX7XC

— IFTWC – Indian Football (@IFTWC) August 22, 2024

The Torch Bearers have been drawn alongside Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, Nejmeh FC of Lebanon and Paro FC of Bhutan.

The four teams will face each other once, over three matchdays, from October 26 to November 2. Paro FC will host all the matches for Group A, in Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. As a result, fans in India will not be able to watch their team in action against international teams.

Fans expect East Bengal to progress into the knockout stage considering the quality of opponents drawn. Bashundhara Kings, however, are the most difficult opponents for the ISL club in the group.