Two-time defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia will face 2024 champions Al Ain of the UAE in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. The draw for the expanded tournament was unveiled in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Al-Ahli, now led by coach Marino Pusic after Matthias Jaissle moved to Newcastle United, will take on Qatari trio Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal, and Al-Gharafa, along with UAE sides Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl, and Uzbekistan's Neftchi and Pakhtakor.
Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal also share the same list of opponents as Al-Ahli in the group stage.
Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo—a former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward—plies his trade, is also in the same group as Al Ain.
This year's group stage has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams, running from September 14 to February 17 next year.
In the East Asia zone, Japan's Kashima Antlers—the last East Asian club to win the competition—will meet two-time Korean champions Jeonbuk Motors, along with Thai sides Buriram United, Port FC, and Ratchaburi FC.
The J-League side will also face tournament debutants Cong An Ha Noi of Vietnam, as well as Daejeon Citizen, Pohang Steelers (South Korea), and Australian champions Newcastle Jets.
Clubs from the West and East of the continent have been split into two groups of 16, with the top eight from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
Matches from the round of 16 are also held regionally, with four winners from each side reaching the centralised finals, set to be held in Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive year.
The finals—comprising the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the title match—run from April 23 to May 1.
Al-Ahli beat Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time to retain the AFC Champions League Elite title for 2026.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as host for the next three editions of the AFC Champions League Elite finals after the AFC executive committee approved the provisional hosting rights on a permanent basis.
