2025–26 AFC Champions League Two

2025–26 AFC Champions League Two
Tournament details
DatesQualifying:
13 August 2025
Competition proper:
16 September 2025 – 16 May 2026
TeamsCompetition proper: 32
Total: 35 (from 23 associations)
Tournament statistics
Matches played106
Goals scored303 (2.86 per match)
Attendance693,395 (6,541 per match)
Top scorer(s)Spain Tana
Malta Trent Buhagiar
Japan Hide Higashikawa
(6 goals each)
All statistics correct as of 19 February 2026.

The 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two is the 22nd edition of the Asia's second-tier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the second under the AFC Champions League Two title.[1][2]

It features 32 teams in the group stage.[3] The winner will be given a direct league stage slot for the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite, if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance.

Sharjah are the reigning champions. They were unable to defend their title as they participated in the AFC Champions League Elite league stage instead.

Association team allocation

The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking which was published after the 2023–24 competitions were completed.[4][5] Slots are subject to later re-balancing based on the 2024–25 competition results.

Participation for 2025–2026 AFC Champions League Two
Participating
Not participating
Notes
  1. ^
    AFC Licensing (AFC): Association did not have a licensed club.[6]
  2. ^
    Thailand (THA): As North Korea had no licensed teams to participate in AFC club competitions. Their ACL2 spot was redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association (Thailand).[7] The indirect slot later received a bye in the play-off round due to an insufficient number of participating teams.

Teams

The number of appearances and last appearance include the AFC Cup as the predecessor of the AFC Champions League Two.

Entry round West Region East Region
Group stage Team Qualifying method App. (last) Team Qualifying method App. (last)
Iran Sepahan 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser 2nd (2024–25) Thailand Bangkok United 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser 2nd (2024–25)
Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr 2024–25 Saudi Pro League third place[8][Note KSA] 1st Japan Gamba Osaka 2024 J1 League fourth place[Note JPN] 1st
United Arab Emirates Al Wasl 2024–25 UAE Pro League fourth place[Note UAE] 1st South Korea Pohang Steelers 2024 Korean FA Cup winners 1st
Qatar Al Ahli 2024–25 Qatar Stars League fourth place[Note QAT] 1st China Beijing Guoan 2024 Chinese Super League fourth place[Note CHN] 1st
Iran Esteghlal 2024–25 Hazfi Cup winners 1st Thailand BG Pathum United 2024–25 Thai League 1 third place 1st
Uzbekistan Andijon 2024 Uzbekistan Cup winners 1st Thailand Ratchaburi 2024–25 Thai League 1 fourth place 1st
Iraq Al-Zawraa 2024–25 Iraq Stars League runners-up[Note IRQ] 6th (2023–24) Australia Macarthur FC 2024 Australia Cup winners 2nd (2023–24)
Jordan Al-Hussein 2024–25 Jordanian Pro League champions 3rd (2024–25) Malaysia Selangor 2024–25 Malaysia Super League runners-up[Note MAS] 7th (2024–25)
Jordan Al-Wehdat 2024–25 Jordan FA Cup winners 14th (2024–25) Vietnam Nam Định 2024–25 V.League 1 champions 2nd (2024–25)
Bahrain Al-Muharraq 2024–25 Bahraini Premier League champions 8th (2021) Vietnam Công An Hà Nội 2024–25 Vietnamese Cup winners 1st
Bahrain Al Khaldiya 2024–25 Bahraini King's Cup winners 3rd (2024–25) Hong Kong Tai Po 2024–25 Hong Kong Premier League champions 3rd (2019)
India Mohun Bagan SG[Note IND] 2024–25 Indian Super League league shield winners 8th (2023–24) Hong Kong Eastern 2024–25 Hong Kong FA Cup winners 5th (2024–25)
Tajikistan Istiklol 2024 Tajikistan Higher League champions 8th (2024–25) Singapore Lion City Sailors 2024–25 Singapore Premier League champions
2024–25 Singapore Cup winners 		12th (2024–25)
Turkmenistan Arkadag 2024–25 AFC Challenge League winners 1st Singapore Tampines Rovers 2024–25 Singapore Premier League runners-up[Note SGP] 16th (2024–25)
Philippines Kaya–Iloilo 2024–25 Philippines Football League champions 6th (2024–25)
Qualifying play-off India Goa 2025 Super Cup winners 1st Indonesia Persib 2024–25 Liga 1 champions 3rd (2024–25)
Turkmenistan Ahal 2024 Ýokary Liga runners-up[Note TKM] 6th (2021) Philippines Manila Digger 2024–25 Philippines Football League runners-up 1st
Tajikistan Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda 2024 Tajikistan Cup winners 2nd (2013)
Oman Al-Seeb 2024–25 Oman Professional League champions 2nd (2022)
Notes
  1. ^
    China (CHN): As 2024 Chinese FA Cup winners Shanghai Port qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Chinese FA Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2024 Chinese Super League.
  2. ^
    India (IND): Considered to have withdrawn during the league stage.[9]
  3. ^
    Iraq (IRQ): As 2024–25 Iraq FA Cup winners Duhok failed to obtain an AFC license,[6] their AFC Champions League Two group stage spot was passed to the 2024–25 Iraq Stars League runners-up.
  4. ^
    Japan (JPN): As 2024 Emperor's Cup winners Vissel Kobe qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Emperor's Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2024 J1 League.
  5. ^
    Malaysia (MAS): As 2024 Malaysia FA Cup winners Johor Darul Ta'zim qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Malaysia FA Cup winners was transferred to the runners-up of the 2024–25 Malaysia Super League.
  6. ^
    Qatar (QAT): As regular season third place, Al-Gharafa, qualified for the Champions League Elite via winning the 2025 Emir of Qatar Cup, the spot reserved for the third-placed team was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2024–25 Qatar Stars League.
  7. ^
    Saudi Arabia (KSA): As 2024–25 Saudi King's Cup winners Al-Ittihad qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the King's Cup winners was transferred to the third-placed team in the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League.
  8. ^
    Singapore (SGP): As 2024–25 Singapore Cup winners Lion City Sailors qualified for the Champions League Two via their league position, the spot reserved for the Singapore Cup winners was transferred to the runners-up in the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League.
  9. ^
    Turkmenistan (TKM): As Arkadag won the 2024–25 AFC Challenge League and the 2024 Ýokary Liga, Turkmenistan was allocated a spot in the group stage. The qualifying play-off slot reserved for the Ýokary Liga champions was transferred to the runners-up, Ahal.
  10. ^
    United Arab Emirates (UAE): As 2024–25 UAE President's Cup winners Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position and winning the previous edition of this competition respectively, the spot reserved for the UAE President’s Cup was transferred to the third-placed team in the 2024–25 UAE Pro League. The spot originally reserved for the third-placed team was then transferred to the fourth-placed team.

Schedule

The schedule of the competition is as follows.[10] All matches will be played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, apart from the final which will take place on a Sunday.

Stage Round Draw date West Region East Region
Preliminary Stage Preliminary stage 1 No draw[a] 13 August 2025
Group stage Matchday 1 15 August 2025 16–17 September 2025 17–18 September 2025
Matchday 2 30 September and 1 October 2025 1–2 October 2025
Matchday 3 21–22 October 2025 22–23 October 2025
Matchday 4 4–5 November 2025 5–6 November 2025
Matchday 5 28–29 October[b] and 25–29 November 2025 26–27 November 2025
Matchday 6 23–24 December 2025 10–11 December 2025
Knockout stage Round of 16 30 December 2025 10–11 and 17–18 February 2026 11–12 and 18–19 February 2026
Quarter-finals 3–4 and 10–11 March 2026 4–5 and 11–12 March 2026
Semi-finals 7 and 14 April 2026 8 and 15 April 2026
Final 16 May 2026
Notes
  1. ^ Pre-determined format
  2. ^ for Bahraini clubs

Qualifying play-offs

The three winners of the play-off round (two from West Region and one from East Region) will advance to the group stage to join the 29 direct entrants. The losers of the qualifying play-offs will enter the group stage of the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League.

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
West Region
Goa India2–1Oman Al-Seeb
RT Tursunzoda Tajikistan1–2Turkmenistan Ahal
East Region
Persib Indonesia2–1Philippines Manila Digger

West Region

Goa India2–1Oman Al-Seeb
  • Dražić 24'
  • Siverio 52'
 AFC Report
GSA Report
  • Nasser 60'
Attendance: 12,314
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda Tajikistan1–2Turkmenistan Ahal
  • Atsam 64'
 AFC Report
GSA Report
  • Gürgenow 62'
  • Mirzoýew 82'
Attendance: 6,350
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai (South Korea)

East Region

Persib Indonesia2–1Philippines Manila Digger
 AFC Report
GSA Report
  • Joof 66'
Attendance: 5,844

Group stage

Main article: 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two group stage

The group stage draw took place on 15 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[11]

Location of the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two group stage teams
Brown: Group A; Cyan: Group B; Orange: Group C; Yellow: Group D; Pink: Group E;
Green: Group F; Blue: Group G; Red: Group H
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
30km
19miles
Locations of the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two teams in Central Thailand

West Region

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification WAS EST MUH ALW
1 United Arab Emirates Al Wasl 6 4 2 0 15 6 +9 14 Advance to round of 16 — 7–1 2–2 2–1
2 Iran Esteghlal 6 2 2 2 8 10 −2 8 1–1 — 0–1 2–0
3 Bahrain Al-Muharraq 6 2 1 3 8 8 0 7 0–1 0–3 — 4–0
4 Jordan Al-Wehdat 6 1 1 4 5 12 −7 4 1–2 1–1 2–1 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AHL ARK KHA AND
1 Qatar Al Ahli 6 2 4 0 7 4 +3 10 Advance to round of 16 — 2–2 0–0 2–0
2 Turkmenistan Arkadag 6 1 4 1 5 6 −1 7 1–1 — 1–0 0–0
3 Bahrain Al Khaldiya 6 1 3 2 3 3 0 6 1–2 2–0 — 0–0
4 Uzbekistan Andijon 6 0 5 1 1 3 −2 5 0–0 1–1 0–0 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ALH SEP AHA MBG
1 Jordan Al-Hussein 4 3 0 1 8 4 +4 9 Advance to round of 16 — 1–0 3–1 21 Oct
2 Iran Sepahan 4 2 1 1 5 3 +2 7 2–0 — 2–2 30 Sep
3 Turkmenistan Ahal 4 0 1 3 4 10 −6 1 1–4 0–1 — 25 Nov
4 India Mohun Bagan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew[a] 4 Nov 23 Dec 0–1 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ On 27 September 2025, AFC announced that Mohun Bagan SG were considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two after they failed to appear for their fixture against Sepahan in Isfahan, citing security concerns. Their single match played was annulled.[12]

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NSR ZWR IST GOA
1 Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr 6 6 0 0 22 2 +20 18 Advance to round of 16 — 5–1 5–0 4–0
2 Iraq Al-Zawraa 6 3 0 3 8 11 −3 9 0–2 — 2–1 2–1
3 Tajikistan Istiklol 6 3 0 3 7 13 −6 9 0–4 2–1 — 2–0
4 India Goa 6 0 0 6 3 14 −11 0 1–2 0–2 1–2 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

East Region

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MAC HNP TPF BJG
1 Australia Macarthur FC 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13 Advance to round of 16 — 2–1 2–1 3–0
2 Vietnam Công An Hà Nội 6 2 2 2 9 7 +2 8 1–1 — 3–0 2–1
3 Hong Kong Tai Po 6 2 1 3 7 12 −5 7 2–1 1–0 — 3–3
4 China Beijing Guoan 6 1 2 3 10 12 −2 5 1–2 2–2 3–0 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group F

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification GOS RPM TND EAS
1 Japan Gamba Osaka 6 6 0 0 16 2 +14 18 Advance to round of 16 — 2–0 3–1 3–1
2 Thailand Ratchaburi 6 3 0 3 15 8 +7 9 0–2 — 2–0 5–1
3 Vietnam Nam Định 6 3 0 3 14 7 +7 9 0–1 3–1 — 9–0
4 Hong Kong Eastern 6 0 0 6 2 30 −28 0 0–5 0–7 0–1 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group G

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PSB BKU LCS SEL
1 Indonesia Persib 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13 Advance to round of 16 — 1–0 1–1 2–0
2 Thailand Bangkok United 6 3 1 2 8 7 +1 10[a] 0–2 — 1–0 1–1
3 Singapore Lion City Sailors 6 3 1 2 10 8 +2 10[a] 3–2 1–2 — 4–2
4 Malaysia Selangor 6 0 1 5 7 15 −8 1 2–3 2–4 0–1 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Bangkok United 6, Lion City Sailors 0.

Group H

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification BGT PHS BGP KAY
1 Singapore Tampines Rovers 6 5 1 0 14 5 +9 16 Advance to round of 16 — 1–0 2–1 5–3
2 South Korea Pohang Steelers 6 4 1 1 7 2 +5 13 1–1 — 2–0 2–0
3 Thailand BG Pathum United 6 2 0 4 5 8 −3 6 0–2 0–1 — 2–1
4 Philippines Kaya–Iloilo 6 0 0 6 4 15 −11 0 0–3 0–1 0–2 —
Source: ACL2
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Knockout stage

Main article: 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two knockout stage

In the knockout stage, 16 teams play a single-elimination tournament, split by Region. Each tie will be played on a home-and-away two-legged basis, except the final which will be played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winners if necessary (Regulations Article 10). The order of matches (home vs away) was determined at the draw, except for the final, which was pre-determined on a rotation basis, with the match to be hosted by the team from the West Region. The draw for the knockout stage was held on 30 December 2025.[13]

Bracket

Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
Iraq Al-Zawraa325
United Arab Emirates Al Wasl (a.e.t.)246
United Arab Emirates Al Wasl
Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr
Turkmenistan Arkadag000
Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr 112
Winner QF1
West Region
Winner QF2
Iran Sepahan202
Qatar Al Ahli (a.e.t.)213
Qatar Al Ahli
Jordan Al-Hussein
Iran Esteghlal022
17 May
Jordan Al-Hussein134
Winner SF1
Winner SF2
South Korea Pohang Steelers112
Japan Gamba Osaka123
Japan Gamba Osaka
Thailand Ratchaburi
Thailand Ratchaburi303
Indonesia Persib011
Winner QF3
East Region
Winner QF4
Thailand Bangkok United224
Australia Macarthur FC022
Thailand Bangkok United
Singapore Tampines Rovers
Vietnam Công An Hà Nội011
Singapore Tampines Rovers336

Round of 16

Summary

The first legs were played between 10 and 12 February, with the second legs being played between 17 and 19 February 2026.

Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
West Region
Al-Zawraa Iraq5–6United Arab Emirates Al Wasl3–22–4 (a.e.t.)
Arkadag Turkmenistan0–2Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr0–10–1
Sepahan Iran2–3Qatar Al Ahli2–20–1 (a.e.t.)
Esteghlal Iran2–4Jordan Al-Hussein0–12–3
East Region
Pohang Steelers South Korea2–3Japan Gamba Osaka1–11–2
Ratchaburi Thailand3–1Indonesia Persib3–00–1
Bangkok United Thailand4–2Australia Macarthur FC2–02–2
Công An Hà Nội Vietnam1–6Singapore Tampines Rovers0–3[a]1–3

Quarter-finals

Summary

The first legs will be played between 3 and 5 March, and the second legs between 10 and 12 March 2026.

Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
West Region
Al Wasl United Arab EmiratesQF1Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr4 Mar11 Mar
Al Ahli QatarQF2Jordan Al-Hussein3 Mar10 Mar
East Region
Gamba Osaka JapanQF3Thailand Ratchaburi4 Mar11 Mar
Bangkok United ThailandQF4Singapore Tampines Rovers5 Mar12 Mar

Semi-finals

Summary

The first legs will be played between 7 and 8 April, and the second legs between 14 and 15 April 2026.

Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
West Region
Winner QF1SF1Winner QF27 Apr14 Apr
East Region
Winner QF3SF2Winner QF48 Apr15 Apr

Final

Main article: 2026 AFC Champions League Two final

The final is scheduled to be played on 17 May 2026. The host of the final was determined by the pre-determined rotation basis, with the team of the West Region hosting the final. The winners will also qualify for the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite, unless they have already qualified for the Champions League Elite through their league performance.

Winner SF1vWinner SF2


Top scorers

  Team eliminated / inactive for this round / matches voided by AFC
As of 19 February 2026
Rank[15] Player Team MD1 MD2 MD3 MD4 MD5 MD6 R16-1 R16-2 QF1 QF2 SF1 SF2 F Total
1 Spain Tana Thailand Ratchaburi 1 1 2 2 6
Malta Trent Buhagiar Singapore BG Tampines Rovers 2 1 1 1 1
Japan Hide Higashikawa Singapore BG Tampines Rovers 1 1 2 2
4 Netherlands Michel Vlap Qatar Al Ahli 1 1 2 1 5
Nigeria Ibrahim Gbadamosi Iraq Al-Zawraa 1 1 1 2
Brazil Brenner Vietnam Nam Dinh 2 3
Brazil Denilson Thailand Ratchaburi 3 2
Oman Muhsen Al-Ghassani Thailand Bangkok United 1 1 1 2
Brazil Anderson Lopes Singapore Lion City Sailors 4 1
France Andrew Jung Indonesia Persib 1 1 1 1 1
11 United Arab Emirates Fábio Lima United Arab Emirates Al Wasl 2 1 1 4
Brazil Adryelson United Arab Emirates Al Wasl 1 1 2
Portugal João Félix Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr 1 1 1 1
Saudi Arabia Abdulrahman Ghareeb Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr 1 2 1
Albania Jasir Asani Iran Esteghlal 1 1 2
Japan Ryoya Yamashita Japan Gamba Osaka 1 1 1 1
Brazil Chrigor Malaysia Selangor 1 1 1 1
Singapore Ikhsan Fandi Thailand Ratchaburi 1 2 1
Note
  • Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs and matches voided by AFC are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Tampines Rovers were awarded a 0–3 victory by forfeit, after Công An Hà Nội fielded two ineligible players. The score on the field was originally a 4–0 win by Công An Hà Nội.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Asian Champions League to relaunch with fewer teams and more prize money in 2024–25 season". AP News. August 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "History beckons for AFC Cup 2023/24 contenders as final edition of popular competition kicks off". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  3. ^ "AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women's Champions League". the-AFC.
  4. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2024". FootyRankings. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b "List of Licensed Clubs - AFC Club Competitions 2025/26" (PDF). 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  7. ^ "FC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations" (PDF). 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  8. ^ "SAFF approves mechanism for participation of Saudi clubs in AFC competitions". Saudi Gazette.
  9. ^ "AFC axes Mohun Bagan from ACL2, Asia ban likely". The Times of India. 2025-10-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  10. ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026)" (PDF). the-AFC. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  11. ^ "ACLTwo Group Stage showdowns to be revealed". AFC. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  12. ^ "#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday Two". Asian Football Confederation. 29 September 2025.
  13. ^ "[AFC Champions League Two] Knockout Stage finalised". AFC. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  14. ^ "AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee Meeting on 17 February 2026" (PDF).
  15. ^ "AFC Champions League Two – Top Scorers". the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
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