According to the Asian Champions League Elite group-stage draw held on Tuesday (August 18), Iranian clubs will play their matches against opponents from Qatar and the UAE at neutral venues. The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) premier club competition is scheduled to kick off on September 14.
Iran's two representatives, Esteghlal (Tehran) and Tractor (Tabriz), will face UAE sides Al Ain, Al Wasl, and Shabab Al-Ahli, as well as Qatari clubs Al Gharafa, Al Sadd, and Al Shamal, despite ongoing regional tensions. Both Iranian teams avoided the highly rated Saudi Arabian clubs in the group stage.
Since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February, Iran has repeatedly struck targets in Qatar and the UAE, saying it was retaliating against those countries for allowing the US to use military bases for the attacks. The neighboring nations have repeatedly called on Tehran to cease its strikes. On Sunday, Iran claimed that three of its pilots missing since March are being held in Qatar, a charge Doha denied.
Iran's domestic league has been suspended since February when the attacks began, but it returned last weekend with a match played behind closed doors and other games restricted in attendance.
The AFC Elite competition is split into two zones of 16 teams each. In the West zone, Saudi Arabia has five representatives, including Al-Ahli (Jeddah), which is aiming to become the first club to win the Asian Champions League three times in a row. Coach Matthias Jaissle left the team earlier this month to take charge of Newcastle in the English Premier League.
Al-Hilal (Riyadh) is seeking a fifth title, while Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr back into continental competition after winning the Saudi Pro League in May.
In the East zone, Japan had reached the final in the previous two editions with Kawasaki Frontale and Machida Zelvia, but both lost to Al-Ahli. However, no Japanese club features this season. Gamba Osaka won the title in 2008, and South Korea has two former champions in Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (chasing a third title) and Pohang Steelers (seeking a fourth).
The top eight teams from each group advance to the round of 16. From the quarterfinals onward, all matches will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the final scheduled for May 1.
