3 weeks ago

FC Goa Face FK Arkadag in AFC Champions League 2

FC Goa is a football team from India.

Last season they won a big trophy called the Super Cup.

Winning the Super Cup earned them a chance to play a special match.

In this match they play against FK Arkadag, a team from a country called Turkmenistan.

This is a one-off match, so there is only one chance to win.

If FC Goa wins, they will play in the AFC Champions League 2, a big competition for top Asian clubs.

If they lose, they will play in a smaller competition called the AFC Challenge League.

Another Indian team, East Bengal, is also playing a qualifying match against Kuwait's Al-Arabi.

After these matches, the winning teams go to a draw in Kuala Lumpur to learn their groups.

The draw will happen on August 18.

Key facts

Teams: FC Goa (India) vs FK Arkadag (Turkmenistan)
Competition: AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage
Format: One-off playoff
Prize: Winner enters AFC Champions League 2; loser enters 2026/27 AFC Challenge League group stage
FC Goa qualification: Winner of the 2025/26 Super Cup
Other qualifier: East Bengal (2025/26 ISL winners) vs Al-Arabi in Kolkata
Group-stage draw: August 18, Kuala Lumpur
Group stage: West Region: 16 teams split across four pots; winners join Pot 4 with Al-Khaldiya and Al-Nahda

indianexpress.com · 3 weeks ago