Kuwait fields a balanced squad for 'Asia Cup 2'
-Exciting matchups for Arab clubs in the “Elite”
The draw for the AFC Champions League Two, held today in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, resulted in Kuwait being placed in Group A alongside UAE’s Al-Ittihad Kalba, Uzbekistan’s Nasaf, and Bahrain’s Al-Khaldiya.
Kuwait Club captain and Al-Azraq player Saad Al-Houti participated in the draw, which saw heavy attendance from football officials across the Asian continent.
“The White” team is scheduled to begin its group stage campaign on September 15 next year against Nasaf, with matches played in a home-and-away league format.
In Group B, UAE’s Al-Jazira, Iran’s Goharzar Sirjan, Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq, and Turkmenistan’s Arkadag will compete. Group C includes Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun, Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, Jordan’s Al-Faisaly, and Oman’s Al-Nahda. Meanwhile, Group D features Jordan’s Al-Hussein, Iraq’s Al-Shorta, Oman’s Al-Seeb, and India’s East Bengal.
Group A includes Seoul from the Republic of Korea, Australia’s Melbourne Victory, Vietnam’s The Cong-Viettel, alongside the winner of the preliminary round match (either Indonesia’s Persib Bandung or Philippines’s Manila Digger). Group B sees Australia’s Adelaide United, Thailand’s Pathum United, Singapore’s Lion City Sailors, and Hong Kong’s Tai Po aiming to secure their spots in the next round.
Group C features Japan’s Machida Zelvia, China’s Shanghai Shenhua, Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, and Singapore’s Tampines Rovers. Group D includes South Korea’s Gangwon, Malaysia’s Kuching City, Hong Kong’s Kitchee, and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown.
The group stage is scheduled to conclude on December 9 next year, before advancing to the Round of 16, which will take place between February 9 and 18, 2027. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be held between March 2–18 and April 6–14, respectively, with the final match scheduled for May 15, 2027.
Separately, the draw for the AFC Champions League Elite has produced strong matchups for the five Saudi clubs.
Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Qadsiah will face eight opponents: Al-Ain, Al-Shabab, and Al-Wasl from the UAE; Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa, and Al-Shamal from Qatar; and Neftchi and Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan.
Al-Ahli will defend their continental title in the new format, aiming to become the first team to win the trophy three consecutive times.
The upcoming edition will feature an expanded field of 32 teams for the first time since the competition was relaunched under its current name for the 2024–2025 season.
