AFC Champions League 2 Draw: FC Goa to face Ronaldo's Al Nassr; Mohun Bagan in Group C

Al Nassr and FC Goa are drawn in the AFC Champions League 2 group D.

The footballing gods have answered the prayers of football fans in India. Indian Football fans may have an opportunity of a lifetime to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play in India. This was confirmed after the conclusion of the group stage draw of the AFC Champions League 2. Al Nassr and FC Goa find themselves in Group D alongside Al Zawraa SC and FC Istiklol.

The other club from India in the AFC Champions League 2, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, have been placed in group C. The Mariners also have tough competition to withstand as they will play against Iran’s Sepahan SC, Al Hussein from Jordan, and Ahal FC.

🔥⚽ FC Goa 🇮🇳 vs Al Nassr 🇸🇦The clash Indian fans were dreaming of just became a reality!! The Gaurs will take on 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr! #IndianFootball #FCGoa #ACL2 pic.twitter.com/pGwcxhDILu

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 15, 2025

Challenging road ahead for FC Goa and Mohun Bagan

This AFC Champions League 2 group stage has sprung up some challenging fixtures for the Indian clubs. Keeping the proposition of Ronaldo playing against an Indian club aside, it is important for the Indian clubs to do well in the tournament. Both Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have been placed in groups that have some of the biggest clubs in Asia, making it a tough campaign for them.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will play the likes of Sepahan, the former AFC Champions League Elite runner-up, Jordan’s Al Hussein, and Ahal FC from Turkmenistan. Last year, Mohun Bagan faced an unexpected elimination from the AFC Champions League 2 after refusing to travel to Iran for security reasons. This season, they will look to leave the dismay of last campaign behind and put up a strong show.

Not just Al Nassr, but the other two teams in FC Goa‘s group are also heavyweights. The defending Tajik champions FC Istiklol would double the challenge for the Gaurs alongside Iraq’s Al Zawraa. This will be the second continental campaign for Goa. They first competed in Asia in 2021 when they participated in the AFC Champions League, now known as the AFC Champions League Elite.

It is crucial for Mohun Bagan and FC Goa to register some wins along the way in AFC Champions League 2, as it will have a bearing on India’s coefficient in AFC rankings. If the Indian clubs manage to have a good campaign, India might have another direct slot in the AFC Champions League 2. Consistent performance in the competition might also provide India with a playoff spot in the AFC Champions League Elite, the biggest club competition in Asia, in a few years.

Will Ronaldo travel to India?

This AFC Champions League 2 group stage draw has raised the biggest question that is going on in the minds of Indian Football fans. Now that Al Nassr are in the same group as FC Goa, will Cristiano Ronaldo travel to India? This has no definitive answer.

Ronaldo is expected to miss some games this season to manage his workload in the season that will end with the FIFA World Cup. To avoid any injury, Al Nassr will give him rest for certain games, meaning that their away fixture against FC Goa might not see Ronaldo in action. Since he arrived at the Saudi club, Cristiano has chosen not to travel overseas to play away fixtures.

However, the Saudi side boasts a roster filled with stars. Some of the biggest names in the game, like Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Inigo Martinez, Kingsley Coman, and Aymeric Laporte, are expected to rub shoulders against the Indian club, producing a spectacle to remember for Indian Football fans.

AFC Champions League 2 Group Stage Draw

West Region

Group A: Al Wasl FC, Esteghlal FC, Al Muharraq SC, Al Wehdat

Group B: Al Ahli SC, PFC Andijon, FC Arkadag, Al Khaldiya SC

Group C: Sepahan SC, Al Hussein, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Ahal FC,

Group D: Al Nassr Club, Al Zawraa SC, FC Istiklol, FC Goa

East Region:

Group E: Beijing FC, Macarthur FC, Tai Po FC, Cong An Ha Noi FC

Group F: Gamba Osaka, Nam Dinh FC, Ratchaburi FC, Eastern FC

Group G: Bangkok United, Selangor FC, Lion City Sailors FC, Persib Bandung

Group H: FC Pohang Steelers, BG Pathum United, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Tampines Rovers FC

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