All you need to know about AFC Champions League Two group stage draw

The AFC Champions League Two group stage will start next month.

The draw for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two will be held on August 15, 2025. It will start at 12:30 PM IST. Some of the best clubs in Asia are ready to compete for the second-tier club competition on the continent.

The preliminary round for ACL 2 was played on August 13, 2025, with six teams taking part in it. The conclusion of the preliminary round means that we know the 32 teams that are going to take part in the ACL 2 group stage. ISL 2024-25 league double winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Super Cup winners FC Goa will represent India in the AFC Champions League Two Group Stage.

In the preliminary round, four clubs from West Asia and two from East Asia participated. The Kalinga Super Cup champions FC Goa represented India in this round. Defeating Oman’s Al Seeb with a 2-1 scoreline in a fierce contest, FC Goa have confirmed their place in the ACL 2 group stage, which starts in September.

Also Read: FC Goa edge past Al Seeb in a thriller to confirm their ACL 2 group stage berth

This will be the second edition after the tournament was rebranded as the AFC Champions League Two. Earlier, it was known as the AFC Cup. However, with the Asian Football Confederation deciding to restructure its club competitions, the AFC Cup got its new name and branding. It serves as the second tier to the AFC Champions League Elite.

32 teams eager to know their opponents in the AFC Champions League Two Group stage

With the ACL 2 group stage lineup locked, the focus has now shifted to the all-important draw that will take place on Friday. 32 teams have made it to the group stage. 16 teams each will represent both the West and East Region. These 32 teams will be divided into eight groups. Each region will have four groups comprising four teams each.

Teams from West Asia and East Asia have been grouped in four pots each. Sepahan, Al Nassr, Al Wassl, and Al Ahli have been placed in Pot 1. Whereas Pot 2 will have Esteghlal, Andijon, Al Zawraa, and Al Hussein. Pot 3 has teams like Al Muharraq, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Istiklol, and Arkadag. Al Wehdat, Al Khaldiya, FC Goa, and Ahal have found their place in Pot 4.

Pot 1 in Asia has Bangkok United, Gamba Osaka, Pohang Steelers, and Beijing Guoan. Thailand’s BG Pathum United are in Pot 2 alongside Macarthur FC, Selangor, and Nam Dinh. Pot 3 consists of Tai Po, Lion City Sailors, Kaya-Iloilo, and Ratchaburi FC. Pot 4 will have Cong An Ha Noi, Eastern Sports Club, Tampines Rovers, Persib Bandung.

AFC Champions League Two group stage draw pots:

West Asia

• Pot 1: Sepahan, Al Nassr, Al Wassl, and Al Ahli
• Pot 2: Esteghlal, Andijon, Al Zawraa, and Al Hussein
• Pot 3: Al Muharraq, Mohun Bagan, Istiklol, and Arkadag
• Pot 4: Al Wehdat, Al Khaldiya, FC Goa, and Ahal

East Asia

• Pot 1: Bangkok United, Gamba Osaka, Pohang Steelers, and Beijing Guoan
• Pot 2: BG Pathum United, Macarthur FC, Selangor, and Nam Dinh
• Pot 3: Tai Po, Lion City Sailors, Kaya-Iloilo, and Ratchaburi FC
• Pot 4: Cong An Ha Noi, Eastern Sports Club, Tampines Rovers, Persib Bandung

When and where to watch AFC Champions League Two group stage draw?

With two Indian clubs, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa, in the fray, the Indian fans would be waiting to watch the draw desperately. The group stage draw for the AFC Champions League Two will start at 12:30 PM IST. Fans can watch the draw on the AFC Hub YouTube channel.

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