The Asian Football Confederation House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held the draw for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26, during which two Turkmen clubs, Arkadag and Ahal, learned their opponents, The Turkmenistan: Golden age electronic newspaper reports.
The current two-time champion of Turkmenistan, Arkadag, seeded in the third basket, got into Group B together with Al Ahli (Qatar), Andijon (Uzbekistan) and Al Khaldiya (Bahrain). And the vice-champion of the country, Ahal, seeded in the fourth basket, will play in Group C with the clubs Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Hussein» (Jordan), Mohun Bagan (India).
The 32 teams – 16 each from the East and West Regions – were divided into eight groups, with the competition to kick off on September 16.
«West» Zone
Group A: Al Wasl FC (UAE), Esteghlal FC (IRN), Al Muharraq SC (BHR), Al Wehdat (JOR)
Group B: Al Ahli SC (QAT), PFC Andijon (UZB), FC Arkadag (TKM), Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Group C: Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Hussein (JOR), Mohun Bagan Super Giant (IND), Ahal FC (TKM)
Group D: Al Nassr Club (KSA), Al Zawraa SC (IRQ), FC Istiklol (TJK), FC Goa (IND)
Zone «East»
Group E: Beijing FC (CHN), Macarthur FC (AUS), Tai Po FC (HKG), Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Group F: Gamba Osaka (JPN), Nam Dinh FC (VIE), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Eastern FC (HKG)
Group G: Bangkok United (THA), Selangor FC (MAS), Lion City Sailors FC (SGP), Persib Bandung (IDN)
Group H: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), BG Pathum United (THA), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
At this stage of the tournament, its participants will play three matches at home and away. The two best teams from each group will advance to the 1/8 finals.
The Group Stage is scheduled to conclude on December 24, 2025 before moving into the Round of 16 between February 10-19, 2026. The Quarter-finals and Semi-finals are set for March 3-12 and April 7-15 respectively, with the Final pencilled in for May 16, 2026.
