DOHA: Asia’s finest clubs will learn their paths to continental glory today when the League Stage draw for the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26 takes place in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the resounding success of the rebranded 2024/25 season, the prestigious competition is set to deliver another edition of thrilling matchups. The draw will feature 24 elite clubs, with the League Stage scheduled to kick off on September 15. Representing Qatar are Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd, Amir Cup winners Al Gharafa, and Al Duhail, who sealed their place with a decisive victory over Iran’s Sepahan SC on Tuesday.
Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC, who lifted their maiden ACL Elite trophy in May, will return with sights firmly set on back-to-back titles.
The Saudi giants are among five former champions in the draw, alongside three debutants: Korea Republic’s Gangwon FC, Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia, and China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC.
As Asia’s top-tier club tournament returns for its 23rd edition, all eyes are on the draw - the first step on the road to continental supremacy.
Meanwhile, the draw for the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2025/26 will also take place today in Kuala Lumpur, with 32 teams set to discover their Group Stage opponents.
The competition, which kicks off on September 16 in a home-and-away round-robin format, will spotlight some of Asia’s emerging clubs from 22 Member Associations.
PFC Andijon (Uzbekistan) and Cong An Ha Noi FC (Vietnam) are set to make their debut appearances in the Group Stage of an AFC competition, while Al Muharraq SC (Bahrain) stand out as the only former champions in the field.
Qatar will be represented by Al Ahli, who secured qualification after finishing fourth in the Qatar Stars League last season.
