Asian football fans are awaiting the group stage draw for the AFC Champions League in its second edition of the new system, amid expectations of strong competition between the top club clubs for the title.
The championship system in the new season
The Asian Football Confederation has adopted the “elite” system since last season, as the group stage includes 24 teams with 12 teams from the West and 12 from the east, from which the first 8 teams from each group qualify to the round of 16. Competitions start with the qualifying round for only two teams, with the East Champions meet in the West, starting from the quarter -finals.
When will the AFC Champions League draw for the elite?
The group stage draw takes place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 12 pm Cairo and Makkah time, at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia.
The classification of West Asia clubs in the lottery
The first classification: Al -Ahly Saudi, Al -Ahly Al -Ahly, the Qatari dam, the Iranian Traumer, Nasaf Al -Uzbeki, and the Iraqi police.
The second classification: the Saudi Federation, the Saudi Crescent, Sharjah Emirati, Emirati Al -Wahda, Al -Gharafa Qatari, Al -Duhail Al -Qatari.
Participated clubs list – West region
Al -Ahly Saudi (defending champions), Saudi Al -Ittihad (League champion), Saudi Al -Hilal (Summer Al -Douri), Al -Ahly youth, Sharjah, Al -Wahda (Emirates), Al -Sadd, Al -Gharafa, Tracter, Nassaf, Police, Al -Duhail.
Participated clubs list – Al Sharq Region
Vesel Kobe, Saint Frezechi Hiroshima, Matsida Zeilvia (Japan), Ulsan Hyundai, Ganguun, Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shinhua, Rongzheng (China), Boriram United (Thailand), Melbourne City (Australia), Johour (Malaysia).
Championship matches schedule 2025-2026
- Introductory role: August 12, 2025
- Group Douring: September 15, 2025 – February 18, 2026
- The round of 16: 2-4 March 2026
- Fif round 16: 9-11 March 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 24-26, 2026
- Seinity: 28-29 April 2026
- Final: May 2, 2026
