AFC Champions League Two - Preview: Matchday One

AFC Champions League Two
#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday One
Mon, 14 September, 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ promises to be a spectacular affair with 32 clubs set to vie for the coveted trophy.

The last two editions of the revamped tournament more than lived up to expectations and fans can expect no less from the upcoming edition.

The-AFC.com previews the matchday one action, which kicks off with the West Zone on Tuesday.

Group A

Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) v PFC Nasaf (UZB)
Venue: Bahrain National Stadium (Riffa)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)

Al Wahda FC (UAE) v Kuwait SC (KUW)
Venue: Al Nahyan Stadium (Abu Dhabi)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 20:00 (UTC+4)

Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya SC return to the competition for the third successive season and will look to better last season’s group stage exit but will not find it easy against 2011 AFC Cup champions PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan who finished third in the Uzbekistan Super League last season.

UAE’s Al Wahda FC have the experience of playing in the AFC Champions League Elite in the 2025/26 season and with inspirational Omar Khrbin in the side, will fancy their chances against a Kuwait SC side who lifted the AFC Challenge League last season.

Group B

FC Arkadag (TKM) v Al Muharraq SC (BHR)
Venue: Arkadag Stadium (Arkadag)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)

Golgohar Sirjan SC (IRN) v Al Jazira FSC (UAE)
Venue: Hisor Central Stadium (Hisor)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)

Head coach Mergen Orazov will ensure his FC Arkadag side look to better last season’s Round of 16 appearance with a positive start when the Turkmenistan outfit host Al Muharraq SC, the 2026 Bahrain Premier League champions.

A similarly fascinating tie awaits in Hisor as Golgohar Sirjan SC of Islamic Republic of Iran make their debut on the continental stage against UAE’s Al Jazira FSC who lost to Al Ittihad Club of Saudi Arabia in the AFC Champions League Elite Preliminary Stage.

Group C

Al Nahda (OMA) v Al Taawoun FC (KSA)
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex (Muscat)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 20:00 (UTC+4)

Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Al Faisaly (JOR)
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Issam Sabhi leads the line for an Al Nahda side, who qualified for the competition after lifting the Sultan Qaboos Cup. They start their campaign at home against Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC who have the experienced Abderazzak Hamdallah in the squad.

Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC will make their first foray in the AFC Champions League Two having last played in the AFC Cup in 2010, kickstarting their group stage by welcoming Jordanian Pro League runners-up and two time AFC Cup winners Al Faisaly.

Group D

Al Hussein (JOR) v East Bengal FC (IND)
Venue: Amman International Stadium (Amman)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)

Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Seeb Club (OMA)
Venue: Al Zawraa Stadium (Baghdad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Jordan’s Al Hussein will look to make up for the disappointment of losing their AFC Champions League Elite preliminary match by ensuring they get off to a good start when they face East Bengal FC of India, who emerged Indian Super League champions for the first time since 2004

A tense affair is expected in Baghdad with Iraq’s Al Shorta hosting Al Seeb Club of Oman, with the two teams not wanting to drop points in their opening group stage tie.

East Zone

Group E

FC Seoul (KOR) v Persib Bandung (INA)
Venue: Seoul World Cup Stadium (Seoul)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+9)

The Cong - Viettel FC (VIE) v Melbourne Victory (AUS)
Venue: Hang day Stadium (Hanoi)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+7)

Persib Bandung were the last team to confirm their group stage spot after defeating Manila Digger FC in the preliminary stage and the Indonesian club couldn’t have asked for a tougher start in Group E with a trip to face FC Seoul who are the current runaway leaders of the K League 1.

A similarly tough assignment awaits The Cong - Viettel FC with the 2026 V League 1 runners-up taking on Australia’s Melbourne Victory who are making their return to the Asian stage after six years.

Group F
Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) v BG Pathum United (THA)
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)

Adelaide United (AUS) v Tai Po FC (HKG)
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium (Adelaide)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:30 (UTC+9:30)

AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 runners-up Lion City Sailors of Singapore will begin with a regional derby as they host Thailand’s BG Pathum United at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday.

The other tie in the group sees Australia’s Adelaide United, making their long awaited return to the Asian stage having last played in the 2017 AFC Champions League, facing Hong Kong, China’s Tai Po FC with both seeking a winning start.

Group G

FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Venue: Machida Stadium (Machida)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC+9)

Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
Venue: Shanghai Stadium (Shanghai)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)

An incredible run to the final of the AFC Champions League Elite last season meant that FC Machida Zelvia will start as one of the favourites with the Japanese keen to lay down a marker in their clash against Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC, who finished runners up in the last two editions of the AFC Challenge League.

Shanghai Shenhua FC will look to cast aside their mixed fortunes in the Chinese Super League with an assault on the continental prize with head coach Vladan Milojevic getting his first taste of the competition against Singapore’s Tampines Rovers FC.

Group H

Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) v Kuching City FC (MAS)
Venue: Morodok Techo National Stadium (Phnom Penh)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)

Kitchee SC (HKG) v Gangwon FC (KOR)
Venue: Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)

Cambodia’s other representative Phnom Penh Crown FC will look to test their mettle in the AFC Champions League Two after playing in the AFC Challenge League last season and they will take on Malaysian debutants Kuching City FC.

Hong Kong, China’s Kitchee SC will be primed for a tough start as they face Gangwon FC of Korea Republic who had a memorable debut outing in the AFC Champions League Elite by reaching the Round of 16last season.

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