Kuala lumpur: The draw for the group stage of the AFC Champions League, held today in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, has set the stage for challenging matches for Arab clubs in an edition featuring 32 teams for the first time.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the group stage will involve 16 teams each in the West and East Zones. The top eight from each zone will move on to the Round of 16, with home-and-away matches. Saudi Arabia will host the knockout stages starting with the quarterfinals. Each team will play eight group matches, four at home and four away, beginning on September 14 and concluding on February 17, 2027.

Saudi Arabia’s representation includes Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Qadisiyah. The UAE will be represented by Al-Ain, Al-Wasl, and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, while Qatar fields Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa, and Al-Shamal, and Iraq is represented by Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.

Al-Ahli is set to host Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Gharafa, and Pakhtakor, and will travel to play against Al-Sadd, Neftchi, Al-Wasl, and Al-Shamal. Al-Hilal’s home games include Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Gharafa, and Pakhtakor, with away matches against Al-Sadd, Neftchi, Al-Wasl, and Al-Shamal.

Al-Nassr will welcome Al-Sadd, Neftchi, Al-Wasl, and Al-Shamal at home, and travel to meet Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Gharafa, and Pakhtakor. Al-Ittihad’s home challenges include Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Gharafa, and Pakhtakor, while away matches will be against Al-Sadd, Neftchi, Al-Wasl, and Al-Shamal.

Al-Qadisiyah will host Al-Sadd, Neftchi, Al-Wasl, and Al-Shamal, with away games set against Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Gharafa, and Pakhtakor. Al-Ain’s home fixtures feature Esteghlal Tehran and Tractor Sazi (Iran), Al-Nassr, and Al-Qadisiyah, while they will travel to face Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.

Shabab Al Ahli Dubai will host Esteghlal Tehran, Tractor, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah, and will travel to face Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Quwa Al Jawiya. Al Wasl’s home games include Al Ahli, Al Quwa Al Jawiya, Al Hilal, and Al Ittihad, and away matches against Esteghlal Tehran, Al Nassr, Tractor, and Al Qadisiyah.

In a parallel competition, the AFC Champions League 2, the West Zone draw has placed Al Wahda, Al Khaldiyah, Nasaf, and Kuwait SC in Group A; Al Jazira, Al Muharraq, Erkadag, and Goharijan in Group B; Al-Taawoun, Al-Rayyan, Al-Faisaly, and Al-Nahda in Group Three; and Al-Seeb, Al-Hussein Irbid, East Bengal, and Al-Shorta in Group Four.