Cristiano Ronaldo could make his maiden visit to India, and is expected to be in footballing action, as well as the draw for the upcoming AFC Champions League Two was revealed on Friday.
Indian Super League club FC Goa has been drawn in Group D alongside Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Alzawra’a FC (Iraq), and FC Istiklol (Tajikistan). Notably, the ACL 2 group stage will get underway in September. FC Goa, who finished second in the ISL 2024/25 season, managed to secure a place in the playoff round after winning the Super Cup in May. They then got the better of the Omani side Al Seeb in the playoff match to seal a spot in the competition.
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Talking about Al-Nassr, the Ronaldo-led side couldn't make it to the AFC Champions League Elite after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League. On the other hand, FC Goa are the Super Cup 2025 winners and semifinalists in the ISL 2024-25. Al Zawra'a SC are the Iraq Stars League 2024-25 runners-up, and FC Istiklol are the Tajikistan Higher League 2024 champions.
The tournament is scheduled to be played in home and away format. But, it is yet to be confirmed whether Ronaldo will play in India in FC Goa's home match. As per various reports, there’s a clause in Ronaldo's contract that mentions that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be part of the club's away fixtures of the continental tournament.
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Talking about the competition, a total of 32 teams, 16 each in the West and the East Zone, have been divided into eight groups of four each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16.
The group stage will run from September 16 to December 24. The Round of 16 will take place 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 scheduled for May 16, 2026.
AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 Group Stage Draw
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)
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).