The AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw concluded. While fans were expecting a Mumbai City FC & Al Nassr face off, they will get an exciting encounter of ISL Shield winners and Neymar’s Al Hilal in AFC Champions League.
Teams were seeded into four pots for each region and drawn into the appropriate positions within each group. Notably, teams from the same organisation were not be placed in the same group.
West Zone AFC Champion League groups
Group A – Pakhator, AL Fayha, Ahal FC, Al Ain FC
Group B – Al Sadd, FC Nassaf, Al Faisaly, Sharjah FC
Group C- Al Ittihad, Sepahan SC, Air Force Club, AGMK FC
Group D – Al Hilal, FC Nassaji, Mumbai City FC, Navbahor
Group E – Persepolis, AL Duhail, FC Istiklol, Al Nassr
East Zone AFC Champion League groups
Group F – Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Bangkok United, Lion City Sailors FC, Kitchee
Group G – Yokohama F. Marinos, Shandong Taishan, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Incheon United
Group H – Buriham United, Ventforet Kofu, Melbourne City FC, Zheijiang FC
Group I – Ulsan Hyundai FC, Kawasaki Frontale, Johor Darul Ta’zim, BG Pathum United
Group J – Wuhan Three Towers, Pohang Steelers, Hanoi FC, Urawa Red Diamonds
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Mumbai City FC won the ISL Shield last season and met the winners of the 2021-22 Shield, Jamshedpur FC, in a playoff game. It was for a position in the AFC Champions League in 2023-24. In April, they overcame Jamshedpur FC 3-1 to secure their place in the competition.
As a result, the club is under a lot of pressure to make the most of the opportunity. They are drawn in the Western region and will face Al-Hilal.
In 2022, the Islanders made history. They became the first Indian club to win the AFC Champions League. They defeated the Iraqi Air Force Club.
The AFC has officially stated that Indian clubs would no longer compete in the ACL beginning with the 2024-25 season. As a result, Mumbai City FC will be the final Indian club to compete in Asia’s premier football championship.
However, there is still room for an Indian club to compete in the AFC Champions League. The winner of the AFC Cup, the Asian club competition’s second division, will get direct qualification for the group stages.
Odisha FC is currently scheduled to compete in the 2023-24 AFC Cup. Mohun Bagan Super Giant may also join them, depending on the outcome of their match against Abhahani Dhaka on August 22.
