AFC Champions League Two
All 32 sides will be aiming to emulate Sharjah FC, who lifted the coveted trophy in the 2024/25 season.
The-AFC.com caught up with teams across the eight groups and here’s what they had to say about the draw.
Group A
Al Wasl FC (UAE), Esteghlal FC (IRN), Al Muharraq SC (BHR), Al Wehdat (JOR)
Al Wasl FC (UAE), Esteghlal FC (IRN), Al Muharraq SC (BHR), Al Wehdat (JOR)
Hamed Afzali (Competition Officer), Esteghlal FC
“The draw was great, quite competitive. Esteghlal deserve to play on the grandest stages so we are very happy to be here. Our main goal is to become champions. We have been Asian champions twice, so we definitely think we can do it again and bring home a third title.”
“The draw was great, quite competitive. Esteghlal deserve to play on the grandest stages so we are very happy to be here. Our main goal is to become champions. We have been Asian champions twice, so we definitely think we can do it again and bring home a third title.”
Group B
Al Ahli SC (QAT), PFC Andijon (UZB), FC Arkadag (TKM), Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Al Ahli SC (QAT), PFC Andijon (UZB), FC Arkadag (TKM), Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Ikromjon Muhitdinov (Team Manager), PFC Andijon
“Our aim is to prepare well and go to the next stage of the competition. In football, anything can happen, so even if a group is difficult, it doesn’t mean anything is for certain. All of the 16 teams in our region have shown excellence to reach this stage, so we are all equally poised. For now, we will concentrate on making it to the knockout stage.”
“Our aim is to prepare well and go to the next stage of the competition. In football, anything can happen, so even if a group is difficult, it doesn’t mean anything is for certain. All of the 16 teams in our region have shown excellence to reach this stage, so we are all equally poised. For now, we will concentrate on making it to the knockout stage.”
Juma Adel Juma Ali (Team Administrator), Al Khaldiya SC
“I think the distribution of the groups is excellent and we are all going to see beautiful football all over Asia. I am hopeful for our team – we have an excellent technical staff and a great group of players, so if things go as expected, we are going to get good results and showcase our beautiful game.”
“I think the distribution of the groups is excellent and we are all going to see beautiful football all over Asia. I am hopeful for our team – we have an excellent technical staff and a great group of players, so if things go as expected, we are going to get good results and showcase our beautiful game.”
Group C
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Hussein (JOR), Mohun Bagan Super Giant (IND), Ahal FC (TKM)
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Hussein (JOR), Mohun Bagan Super Giant (IND), Ahal FC (TKM)
Ahmad Jamshidian (Team Manager), Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN)
“I think all the groups are quite well balanced, but there will, of course, be challenges. Overall, we are quite happy with our group. We are former champions, and we know what we are capable of. So, our goal is to be champions, but the least we are expecting is a place in the Final.”
“I think all the groups are quite well balanced, but there will, of course, be challenges. Overall, we are quite happy with our group. We are former champions, and we know what we are capable of. So, our goal is to be champions, but the least we are expecting is a place in the Final.”
Ratan Chakravarty (Head of Media), Mohun Bagan Super Giant
“I think one of the key aspects we will have to focus on is working around the travel for each of the away games, but we are ready to embrace that. We will have to examine the games of all our opponents, but we are ready. We have three players who have featured in the FIFA World Cup, and two in La Liga, and we are also national champions, so we will play to win.”
“I think one of the key aspects we will have to focus on is working around the travel for each of the away games, but we are ready to embrace that. We will have to examine the games of all our opponents, but we are ready. We have three players who have featured in the FIFA World Cup, and two in La Liga, and we are also national champions, so we will play to win.”
Group D
Al Nassr Club (KSA), Al Zawraa SC (IRQ), FC Istiklol (TJK), FC Goa (IND)
Al Nassr Club (KSA), Al Zawraa SC (IRQ), FC Istiklol (TJK), FC Goa (IND)
Samer Saad Ibrahim (Team Media Officer), Al Zawraa SC
“The group we've been drawn into is considered somewhat balanced. It includes Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, a team with a strong reputation due to its capabilities and high level of performance. There are also Tajik club Istiklol and Indian club FC Goa. We look forward to performing well and achieving results worthy of the name and history of Al Zawraa Club, which is considered one of the top teams in Iraq. We hope to advance beyond the group stage and the Round of 16, as our main goal is to win the title.”
“The group we've been drawn into is considered somewhat balanced. It includes Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, a team with a strong reputation due to its capabilities and high level of performance. There are also Tajik club Istiklol and Indian club FC Goa. We look forward to performing well and achieving results worthy of the name and history of Al Zawraa Club, which is considered one of the top teams in Iraq. We hope to advance beyond the group stage and the Round of 16, as our main goal is to win the title.”
Dion Pinto (Team Manager), FC Goa
“We are very happy with the draw. Even though it is a difficult group, it is a rare opportunity to be able to play against top sides such as Al Nassr and it will be an incredible experience for the team. It means a great deal to be able to participate on such a stage, not just to the players, but also to the fans.”
“We are very happy with the draw. Even though it is a difficult group, it is a rare opportunity to be able to play against top sides such as Al Nassr and it will be an incredible experience for the team. It means a great deal to be able to participate on such a stage, not just to the players, but also to the fans.”
HIGHLIGHTS | AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group Stage Draw
Group E
Beijing FC (CHN), Macarthur FC (AUS), Tai Po FC (HKG), Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Beijing FC (CHN), Macarthur FC (AUS), Tai Po FC (HKG), Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Michael Swibel (Team Manager), Macarthur FC
“We were very excited with the draw result and to go to those countries and cities. We were in the AFC Cup a couple of years ago - we reached the ASEAN Zone Final and lost just by the last kick of the game to the eventual winners of the AFC Cup but we are confident of our chances. We won the Australia Cup last year. We have a new squad coming together and are looking forward to the match-ups.”
“We were very excited with the draw result and to go to those countries and cities. We were in the AFC Cup a couple of years ago - we reached the ASEAN Zone Final and lost just by the last kick of the game to the eventual winners of the AFC Cup but we are confident of our chances. We won the Australia Cup last year. We have a new squad coming together and are looking forward to the match-ups.”
Group F
Gamba Osaka (JPN), Nam Dinh FC (VIE), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Eastern FC (HKG)
Gamba Osaka (JPN), Nam Dinh FC (VIE), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Eastern FC (HKG)
Chan Tsz Lung (Team Manager), Eastern FC
“We know all the opponents are strong. This will be our second year in the competition, it will be an opportunity for the young players in the squad to face a Japanese team and learn from them. As we will be representing Hong Kong,China, we are hopeful of getting support from the fans during the games. Last season we were in a difficult group with high quality teams so it gave us insights on where we had to improve going into this season.”
“We know all the opponents are strong. This will be our second year in the competition, it will be an opportunity for the young players in the squad to face a Japanese team and learn from them. As we will be representing Hong Kong,China, we are hopeful of getting support from the fans during the games. Last season we were in a difficult group with high quality teams so it gave us insights on where we had to improve going into this season.”
#ACLTwo - Group Stage Draw
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Group G
Bangkok United (THA), Selangor FC (MAS), Lion City Sailors FC (SGP), Persib Bandung (IDN)
Bangkok United (THA), Selangor FC (MAS), Lion City Sailors FC (SGP), Persib Bandung (IDN)
Mahfizul Rusydin (Team Manager), Selangor FC
“We are looking forward to our second campaign in the competition and this time, we are hopeful that we can better last season and reach the next stage, so that we can meet stronger teams. Because we are playing against Southeast Asian teams, there will be no secrets among us so it will be a different challenge.”
“We are looking forward to our second campaign in the competition and this time, we are hopeful that we can better last season and reach the next stage, so that we can meet stronger teams. Because we are playing against Southeast Asian teams, there will be no secrets among us so it will be a different challenge.”
Group H
FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), BG Pathum United (THA), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), BG Pathum United (THA), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
Cha Ju-sung (Team Manager), FC Pohang Steelers
“We are satisfied with the draw because initially we were worried about the distance of travelling between matches. This draw is good for our team for away matches as every team is nearby Korea Republic and we are hoping to have a good tournament and are looking forward to making further preparations for the tournament.”
“We are satisfied with the draw because initially we were worried about the distance of travelling between matches. This draw is good for our team for away matches as every team is nearby Korea Republic and we are hoping to have a good tournament and are looking forward to making further preparations for the tournament.”
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