The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held the draw for the 21st edition of the AFC Champions League 2024/2023 on Thursday, with the competition running until May next year.
The draw for the AFC Champions League saw Al Ain in Group 1 with Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, Al Fayha of Saudi Arabia, and Akhmat of Turkmenistan, while Sharjah is in Group 2 with Al Sadd of Qatar, Nasaf of Uzbekistan, and Al Faisaly of Jordan.
The groups for Al Hilal and Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia were easy, with Al Hilal in Group 4 with Nassaji of Iran, Mumbai City of India, and Navbahor of Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad of Jeddah fell in Group 3 with Sepahan of Iran, Al Quwat Al-Jawiya of Iraq, and Ajmiak of Uzbekistan. Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia came in Group 5, which is of medium level, along with Persepolis of Iran, Al Duhail of Qatar, and Esteghlal of Iran.
Results of the draw for the 2023/2024 AFC Champions League (West Zone)
Group 1: Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, Al Fayha of Saudi Arabia, Akhmat of Turkmenistan, Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates
Group 2: Al Sadd of Qatar, Nasaf of Uzbekistan, Al Faisaly of Jordan, Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates
Group 3: Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Sepahan of Iran, Al Quwat Al-Jawiya of Iraq, Ajmiak of Uzbekistan
Group 4: Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, Nassaji of Iran, Mumbai City of India, Navbahor of Uzbekistan
Group 5: Persepolis of Iran, Al Duhail of Qatar, Esteghlal of Iran, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia
Results of the draw for the 2023/2024 AFC Champions League (East Zone)
Group 6: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea), Bangkok United (Thailand), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), Kitchee (Hong Kong)
Group 7: Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Shandong Taishan (China), Kaya FC-Iloilo (Philippines), Incheon United (South Korea)
Group 8: Buriram United (Thailand), Ventforet Kofu (Japan), Melbourne City (Australia), Zhejiang (China)
Group 9: Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), Pathum United (Thailand)
Group 10: Wuhan Three Towns (China), Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Hanoi (Vietnam), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Twenty teams from the West Zone will compete in the group stage of the Asian tournament, divided into five groups, each with four teams. At the end of the group stage, the clubs that finish first in the 10 groups (East and West), as well as the best three clubs that finish second in each zone, will qualify for the round of 16.
The knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League will be held from February to April 2024, with the final matches scheduled for May 11 and 18, 2024.
The draw was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The AFC Champions League is the premier club competition in Asia.
The 2023/2024 edition will be the first to feature 40 teams, with 20 teams from each the East and West Zones.
The top two teams from each group in the group stage will advance to the roundÂ
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