List of all teams qualified in AFC Champions League 2 Group stage so far

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are one of the favourites in the AFC Champions League 2.

Asia is all set to gear up for one of its biggest continental club competitions, where the best teams from all across the planet compete for top Asian honours.

A total of 16 teams will be divided among four groups, where the top two from each group will qualify for the knockout stages from the West Region. So far, thirteen teams have qualified for the group stage fixtures of the AFC Champions League 2 West Region.

In this feature article, we shall dive deep down to find out the path the best teams in Asia took to secure their berth in Asia’s premier competition, AFC Champions League 2. From winning their domestic league and clinching silverware in other competitions to a stroke of luck that brought them here.

Teams who have qualified for the AFC Champions League 2 so far!

1. Al Nassr SC (Saudi Arabia)

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr SC made it to the AFC Champions League 2 purely based on luck. The only ACL 2 spot from Saudi Arabia was reserved for the King’s Cup Champions. The final took place between Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad and Aubameyang’s Al Qadsiah.

Al Ittihad won the King’s Cup 3-1. However, the reigning Saudi champions had already secured a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite alongside second-placed Al Hilal. By virtue of being the third-best team in the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr secured the ACL 2 spot.

They have a star-studded squad with the likes of captain Cristiano Ronaldo, former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and many more. Regardless of how they made it here, they are one of the best teams and can potentially emerge as the new champions of the Asian second division.

✨ QUALIFIED ✨Al Nassr go through and will face Al Ain in the Quarter-Finals 🔥#ACL pic.twitter.com/zoQWJDtcFI

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) February 21, 2024

2. Al Wasl (United Arab Emirates)

Another Gulf outfit that was lucky enough to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2, Al Wasl, was once coached by the legendary Diego Maradona. They have quality players like ex-Lyon Adryelson, Portuguese U21 star Pedro Malheiro and more.

The ACL 2 spot was reserved for the President’s Cup winner. Since Shadab Al Ahli and Sharjah had already qualified for the ACL Elite, Al Wasl grabbed the ACL 2 berth after finishing fourth in the UAE Pro League 2024-25 points table.

UAE Champions 🏆🇦🇪Al Wasl are back on the continental stage 🔙🤩#ACLElite pic.twitter.com/YdRUT6D0Pp

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) July 21, 2024

3. Al Ahli (Qatar)

Al Ahli probably would have never imagined in their wildest dreams to be playing in the AFC Champions League 2 this season. But destiny had other plans for the Qatari outfit. Despite finishing fourth in the Qatar top division, they managed to clinch an ACL 2 spot.

The spot was initially reserved for the third-placed team. But Al Gharafa won the 2025 Emir of Qatar Cup to secure an ACL Elite spot. This, in turn, saw Al Ahli making their way to the ACL 2.

4. Esteghlal (Iran)

The Iranian outfit from Tehran won the 2024-25 Hazfi Cup after defeating Malavan 1-0 in extra time to make it to the group stages of the ACL 2.

They had a very decent campaign in the Persian Gulf Pro League after finishing ninth this season. But an extraordinary campaign in the Hazfi Cup was enough to see them secure a spot in the second division of Asian club football.

Rounding out the #ACLElite Round of 16 participants from West: Esteghlal 🇮🇷✅ pic.twitter.com/xzja9B5ObL

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) February 18, 2025

5. Andijon (Uzbekistan)

The Uzbek outfit had a lacklustre campaign in the Uzbek top flight after finishing in the lower echelons of the points table. They managed to perform well in the Uzbekistan Cup, and they managed to get the better of Navbahor 3-2 in the finals.

Uzbekistan’s only hope in the competition, Andijon, will be keen to bring continental silverware to Uzbekistan amidst their meteoric rise in Asian football.

6. Al Zawraa (Iraq)

Who would have thought that despite failing to win the finals of the 2024-25 Iraq FA Cup, the team from Baghdad would feature in the ACL 2.

Duhok defeated Al Zawraa in the finals of the Iraq FA Cup. But failed to obtain an AFC License, and their spot was passed on to the runners-up of the Iraq FA Cup, Al Zawraa. A blessing in disguise for Al Zawraa as they look forward to making the most of their continental opportunity.

7. Al Hussein (Jordan)

The Irbid-based outfit are the reigning champions of the Jordanian Pro League 2024-25. This was the second time Al Hussein won the Jordanian Pro League.

The race for the top spot was too heated after they edged past second-placed Al Wehdat by just a solitary point. In 2005, they previously qualified for the AFC Cup Quarter Finals, and after decades, they progressed to the Round of 16 in the last edition.

8. Al Wehdat (Jordan)

The Amman side were just a win away from becoming the Jordanian Champions but fell short by just a point. They are one of the most successful sides from Jordan in the continental tournaments.

They have previously made it to the AFC Cup semi-finals on three occasions in 2006, 2007 and 2011 respectively. With 13 appearances previously in the AFC Cup, they are a major force to reckon with in the upcoming ACL 2.

9. Al Muharraq (Bahrain)

Nicknamed the Red Wolf, Al Muharraq are one of the most decorated clubs in Bahrain. They secured their 35th league title after winning the Bahrain top flight.

They are one of the previous winners of the AFC Cup, when they won it back in 2008 and 2021. Recently, a few years ago, they thrashed Nasaf 3-0 in the finals to win their second title.

10. Al Khaldiya (Bahrain)

Hailing from Hamad Town, the Lions of Bahrain have secured a historic place in the AFC Champions League 2 after winning the Bahraini King’s Cup 2024-25.

The club is just five years old, and their early success shows how passionate they are to win. After failing to make it to the AFC Cup in 2023, they created history by qualifying for the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League 2 in the last edition.

11. Mohun Bagan Super Giant (India)

India’s biggest hope in the AFC Champions League 2, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, won the ISL Shield and the ISL Trophy this season. Under Jose Molina, the Mariners have unleashed their beast and would be keen to make the most of their continental opportunity.

The Mariners withdrew from the AFC Champions League 2 group stages after refusing to travel to Iran, amidst the rising geopolitical tension and war in Iran. India’s only hope in ACL 2 so far, the Mariners have the best shot to make the nation prouder in Asia.

12. Istiklol (Tajikistan)

The Dushanbe side are the reigning champions of the Tajikistan Higher League in the 2024-25 season. Widely regarded as the most successful football club in Tajikistan, Istiklol would be keen to bring back Asian honours to Tajikistan.

They had made regular appearances in the ACL and had previously been the runners-up of the AFC Cup in the 2015 and 2017 editions.

13. Arkadag (Turkmenistan)

Nicknamed the White Horse of Arkadag, they are the reigning champions of the AFC Challenge League. They also managed to win the 2024 Yokary Liga and the 2024 Turkmenistan Cup.

The club was founded in 2023, and their meteoric rise in Asian club football reflects their ambitions to compete among the best in Asia. They are one of the serious contenders to win the AFC Champions League 2 this season.

14. FC Goa (India)/ Al Seeb (Oman)

The winner of the clash between FC Goa and Al Seeb at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao will make it to the ACL 2 group stages.

FC Goa are the reigning Super Cup winners and the first Indian side to feature in the AFC Champions League. Al Seeb, on the other hand, are the 2024-25 Oman Professional League Champions.

15. Tursunzoda (Tajikistan)/ Ahal (Turkmenistan)

The 2024 Yokary Liga runners-up up Ahal from Turkmenistan, will ply their trade against the 2024 Tajikistan Cup Winners, Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda, in a bid to secure an ACL 2 group stage game.

16. Al Duhail (Qatar)/ Sepahan (Iran)

Al Duhail from Qatar and Sepahan from Iran will square off against each other to make it to the highest division of Asian football, the AFC Champions League elite. The loser of this qualifier game will settle for an ACL 2 berth.

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