Kuwait with Al-Ittihad, Nasaf, and Al-Khalidiya

The draw for the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Two, held yesterday in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, placed Al-Kuwait in Group A alongside the UAE’s Al-Ittihad Kalba, Uzbekistan’s Nasaf, and Bahrain’s Al-Khalidiya, in a competition featuring 32 teams. Former Al-Kuwait star Saad Al-Houti attended the draw ceremony, marking the presence of one of the most iconic figures of Kuwait football’s golden era at one of the continent’s most significant events. The Asian Football Confederation highlighted Al-Houti’s illustrious career through its official channels, recognizing him as one of the standout players of his generation for his pivotal role in the historic achievements of Kuwaiti football during the 1980s.

The group stage begins on September 15 next year, played in a home-and-away league format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16. Al-Kuwait is the sole representative of Kuwaiti football in the new edition of the tournament, having secured their spot after winning the AFC Challenge League title last season.

In Group B, the UAE’s Al-Jazira will face Iran’s Gol Gohar Sirjan, Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq, and Turkmenistan’s Arkadag. Group C features Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun, Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, Jordan’s Al-Faisaly, and Oman’s Al-Nahda. Group D will see Jordan’s Al-Hussein, Iraq’s Al-Shorta, Oman’s Al-Seeb, and India’s East Bengal compete.

In East Asia, Group A includes South Korea’s Seoul, Australia’s Melbourne Victory, Vietnam’s The Cong-Viettel, and the winner of the preliminary round between Indonesia’s Persib Bandung and the Philippines’s Manila Digger. Group B comprises Australia’s Adelaide United, Thailand’s Pathum United, Singapore’s Lion City Sailors, and Hong Kong’s Tai Po. Group C is headlined by Japan’s Machida Zelvia, alongside China’s Shanghai Shenhua, Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, and Singapore’s Tampines Rovers. Group D features South Korea’s Gangwon, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, Hong Kong’s Kitchee, and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown.

The group stage concludes on December 9, 2026. The round of 16 will be held between February 9 and 18, 2027, followed by the quarter-finals from March 2 to 18, the semi-finals from April 6 to 14, and the final on May 15, 2027.