The AFC Champions League 2 is Asia’s second-tier club football tournament, and two Indian clubs—Mohun Bagan and FC Goa—will represent India in the 2025-26 season. Mohun Bagan will join directly, while FC Goa will play in the qualifying playoffs.
Mohun Bagan Qualifies Directly for AFC Champions League 2
Mohun Bagan secured a direct spot in the AFC Champions League 2 after winning the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield for the 2024-25 season. They finished with 56 points from 24 matches, making it one of their most successful seasons in history.
They also won the ISL playoffs, defeating Bengaluru FC 2-1 after extra time in the final. With this win, Mohun Bagan completed a historic domestic double. Key Indian players like Vishal Kaith, Subashish Bose, and Dippendu Biswas were standout performers throughout the season.
Even though they didn’t win the Kalinga Super Cup, the Mariners fielded a young squad for that tournament and focused on development. Under coach Jose Molina, the club is now aiming to perform strongly on the continental stage in the upcoming season.
FC Goa Enters Playoffs After Kalinga Super Cup Triumph
FC Goa will compete in the qualifying playoffs of the AFC Champions League 2 after winning the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. They secured their spot by defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final with goals from Borja Herrera and Dejan Drazic.
Their journey began with a dominant performance over Gokulam Kerala FC in the first round, where Iker Guarrotxena scored a hat-trick. In the quarterfinals, FC Goa edged past Punjab FC 2-1 thanks to late goals by Borja Herrera and Mohammed Yasir.
In the semifinals, FC Goa faced Mohun Bagan and delivered a strong 3-1 win, knocking out the ISL Shield winners with goals from Brison Fernandes, Borja Herrera, and Guarrotxena. Their strong run ended with a clinical win in the final.
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India’s Representation in Asia’s Club Football Scene
With Mohun Bagan and FC Goa set to appear in the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two, Indian football continues to grow in Asia. Mohun Bagan will carry the nation’s direct hopes in the group stage, while FC Goa will look to make it past the playoffs.
This marks a positive step for Indian football clubs aiming to compete regularly at the continental level.
