East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC: Predicted Lineups and How to Watch the AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match LIVE in India?

The Salt Lake Stadium is set to be a cauldron of noise and emotion on August 12, 2026, as East Bengal take on Kuwaiti giants Al-Arabi SC in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Qualifier. With home advantage firmly on their side and the Red & Gold faithful roaring behind them, East Bengal have a rare and exciting opportunity — to qualify for the ACL Two group stages for the very first time in their history. It’s a landmark moment for the club, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

For East Bengal, this match marks the beginning of a new chapter. Having clinched the 2025-26 ISL title under Oscar Bruzon, the club is now under the stewardship of Spanish manager Antonio Habas, who arrives with a clear mission — take East Bengal further into continental football than they’ve ever been before. Habas knows it won’t be easy. His side must be disciplined and compact to handle Al-Arabi’s threat, while also being sharp and clinical in attack to make the most of their chances. A strong win would send confidence soaring through the squad; a heavy defeat, on the other hand, is something the new gaffer simply cannot afford this early in his tenure.

Al-Arabi SC are no strangers to continental football — one of Kuwait’s oldest and most decorated clubs, they carry genuine experience from past AFC Cup and AFC Champions League campaigns. Nicknamed the Castle of Trophies, they’ll respect the atmosphere East Bengal can generate at home, but they won’t be sitting back either. Al-Arabi will look to be energetic and proactive, pressing in key areas and cutting through East Bengal’s defence with incisive football. For both sides, this is a winner-takes-all moment — qualification to the ACL Two group stages awaits the victor, while the loser faces an early and painful exit from continental ambitions.

East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC: Predicted Lineups and How to Watch the AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match LIVE in India?

When is the East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match?

The East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match will be played on 12th August 2026.

Where will the East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match be played?

The East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match will be played at VYBK, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

What time does the match kick-off?

The match will kick off at 7:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will broadcast the AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match live in India?

Unfortunately, the AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier matches will not be broadcasted live on TV channel.

How can you watch the live streaming of the AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match in India?

The AFC Champions League Two 2026 Preliminary Qualifier match will be live streamed on FanCode.

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal predicted XI: Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Sandeep Mandi, Jeakson Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez, Bipin Singh, Chris Ikonomidis, Edmund Lalrindika

Mohun Bagan predicted XI: Sulaiman Abdulghafoor (GK), Mohammed Khaled, Jumma Abboud, Abdullah Essa, Hamad Al-Qallaf, Khaled Al-Marshed, Ali Porusaniei, Hassimi Fadiga, Yousef Majed, Anayo Iwuala, Zaid Qunbar

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