Topzle Topzle

2025–26 AFC Champions League Two

Updated: Wikipedia source

2025–26 AFC Champions League Two

The 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two was 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. It featured 32 teams in the group stage. The final was held at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, between Gamba Osaka and Al-Nassr. Gamba Osaka won 1–0, with Deniz Hümmet scoring the match's only goal, to give the club its first title. As winners, they qualified to the preliminary stage of the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite. Sharjah were the reigning champions. They were unable to defend their title as they participated in the AFC Champions League Elite league stage instead.

Infobox

Dates
Qualifying: 13 August 2025 Competition proper: 16 September 2025 – 16 May 2026
Teams
Competition proper: 32 Total: 35 (from 23 associations)
Champions
Gamba Osaka (1st title)
Runners-up
Al-Nassr
Matches played
116
Goals scored
334 (2 per match)
Attendance
777,086 (6,699 per match)
Top scorer
Trent Buhagiar (8 goals)
Best player
Issam Jebali

Tables

· Association team allocation
Participation for 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two
Participating
Not participating
West Region (4 groups)
Group stage
Group stage
Rank
Group stage
Rank
Play-off
Zone
Zone
Rank
Zone
Rank
AFC
1
1
Rank
1
Rank
1
Member association
Saudi Arabia
Points
103
Slots
1
Slots
0
2
2
Rank
2
Rank
4
Member association
United Arab Emirates
Points
74
Slots
1
Slots
0
3
3
Rank
3
Rank
5
Member association
Qatar
Points
70
Slots
1
Slots
0
4
4
Rank
4
Rank
6
Member association
Iran
Points
68
Slots
1 (+1 ACLE)
Slots
0
5
5
Rank
5
Rank
9
Member association
Uzbekistan
Points
47
Slots
1
Slots
0
6
6
Rank
6
Rank
10
Member association
Iraq
Points
37
Slots
1
Slots
0
7
7
Rank
7
Rank
13
Member association
Jordan
Points
30
Slots
2
Slots
0
8
8
Rank
8
Rank
16
Member association
Bahrain
Points
23
Slots
2
Slots
0
9
9
Rank
9
Rank
17
Member association
India
Points
22
Slots
1
Slots
1
10
10
Rank
10
Rank
18
Member association
Tajikistan
Points
22
Slots
1
Slots
1
11
11
Rank
11
Rank
19
Member association
Turkmenistan
Points
20
Slots
0 (+1 ACGL)
Slots
1
12
12
Rank
12
Rank
20
Member association
Oman
Points
20
Slots
0
Slots
1
Total
Total
Rank
Total
Rank
Participating associations: 12
Member association
14
Points
4
18
18
Rank
18
Rank
Member association
Points
Slots
Group stage
Play-off
Zone
AFC
1
1
Saudi Arabia
103
1
0
2
4
United Arab Emirates
74
1
0
3
5
Qatar
70
1
0
4
6
Iran
68
1 (+1 ACLE)
0
5
9
Uzbekistan
47
1
0
6
10
Iraq
37
1
0
7
13
Jordan
30
2
0
8
16
Bahrain
23
2
0
9
17
India
22
1
1
10
18
Tajikistan
22
1
1
11
19
Turkmenistan
20
0 (+1 ACGL)
1
12
20
Oman
20
0
1
Total
Participating associations: 12
14
4
18
East Region (4 groups)
Group stage
Group stage
Rank
Group stage
Rank
Play-off
Zone
Zone
Rank
Zone
Rank
AFC
1
1
Rank
1
Rank
2
Member association
Japan
Points
96
Slots
1
Slots
0
2
2
Rank
2
Rank
3
Member association
South Korea
Points
93
Slots
1
Slots
0
3
3
Rank
3
Rank
7
Member association
China
Points
57
Slots
1
Slots
0
4
4
Rank
4
Rank
8
Member association
Thailand
Points
49
Slots
2 (+1 ACLE)
Slots
0
5
5
Rank
5
Rank
11
Member association
Australia
Points
34
Slots
1
Slots
0
6
6
Rank
6
Rank
12
Member association
Malaysia
Points
31
Slots
1
Slots
0
7
7
Rank
7
Rank
14
Member association
Vietnam
Points
28
Slots
2
Slots
0
8
8
Rank
8
Rank
15
Member association
Hong Kong
Points
26
Slots
2
Slots
0
9
9
Rank
9
Rank
23
Member association
Singapore
Points
17
Slots
2
Slots
0
10
10
Rank
10
Rank
25
Member association
Philippines
Points
16
Slots
1
Slots
1
11
11
Rank
11
Rank
28
Member association
Indonesia
Points
14
Slots
0
Slots
1
12
12
Rank
12
Rank
29
Member association
North Korea
Points
13
Slots
0
Slots
0
Total
Total
Rank
Total
Rank
Participating associations: 11
Member association
15
Points
2
17
17
Rank
17
Rank
Member association
Points
Slots
Group stage
Play-off
Zone
AFC
1
2
Japan
96
1
0
2
3
South Korea
93
1
0
3
7
China
57
1
0
4
8
Thailand
49
2 (+1 ACLE)
0
5
11
Australia
34
1
0
6
12
Malaysia
31
1
0
7
14
Vietnam
28
2
0
8
15
Hong Kong
26
2
0
9
23
Singapore
17
2
0
10
25
Philippines
16
1
1
11
28
Indonesia
14
0
1
12
29
North Korea
13
0
0
Total
Participating associations: 11
15
2
17
· Teams
Group stage
Group stage
Entry round
Group stage
West Region
Team
West Region
Qualifying method
West Region
App. (last)
East Region
Team
East Region
Qualifying method
East Region
App. (last)
Sepahan
Sepahan
Entry round
Sepahan
West Region
2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser
West Region
2nd (2024–25)
West Region
Bangkok United
East Region
2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser
East Region
2nd (2024–25)
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr
Entry round
Al-Nassr
West Region
2024–25 Saudi Pro League third place
West Region
1st
West Region
Gamba Osaka
East Region
2024 J1 League fourth place
East Region
1st
Al Wasl
Al Wasl
Entry round
Al Wasl
West Region
2024–25 UAE Pro League fourth place
West Region
1st
West Region
Pohang Steelers
East Region
2024 Korean FA Cup winners
East Region
1st
Al Ahli
Al Ahli
Entry round
Al Ahli
West Region
2024–25 Qatar Stars League fourth place
West Region
1st
West Region
Beijing Guoan
East Region
2024 Chinese Super League fourth place
East Region
1st
Esteghlal
Esteghlal
Entry round
Esteghlal
West Region
2024–25 Hazfi Cup winners
West Region
1st
West Region
BG Pathum United
East Region
2024–25 Thai League 1 third place
East Region
1st
Andijon
Andijon
Entry round
Andijon
West Region
2024 Uzbekistan Cup winners
West Region
1st
West Region
Ratchaburi
East Region
2024–25 Thai League 1 fourth place
East Region
1st
Al-Zawraa
Al-Zawraa
Entry round
Al-Zawraa
West Region
2024–25 Iraq Stars League runners-up
West Region
6th (2023–24)
West Region
Macarthur FC
East Region
2024 Australia Cup winners
East Region
2nd (2023–24)
Al-Hussein
Al-Hussein
Entry round
Al-Hussein
West Region
2024–25 Jordanian Pro League champions
West Region
3rd (2024–25)
West Region
Selangor
East Region
2024–25 Malaysia Super League runners-up
East Region
7th (2024–25)
Al-Wehdat
Al-Wehdat
Entry round
Al-Wehdat
West Region
2024–25 Jordan FA Cup winners
West Region
14th (2024–25)
West Region
Nam Định
East Region
2024–25 V 1 champions
East Region
2nd (2024–25)
Al-Muharraq
Al-Muharraq
Entry round
Al-Muharraq
West Region
2024–25 Bahraini Premier League champions
West Region
8th (2021)
West Region
Công An Hà Nội
East Region
2024–25 Vietnamese Cup winners
East Region
1st
Al Khaldiya
Al Khaldiya
Entry round
Al Khaldiya
West Region
2024–25 Bahraini King's Cup winners
West Region
3rd (2024–25)
West Region
Tai Po
East Region
2024–25 Hong Kong Premier League champions
East Region
3rd (2019)
Mohun Bagan SG
Mohun Bagan SG
Entry round
Mohun Bagan SG
West Region
2024–25 Indian Super League league shield winners
West Region
8th (2023–24)
West Region
Eastern
East Region
2024–25 Hong Kong FA Cup winners
East Region
5th (2024–25)
Istiklol
Istiklol
Entry round
Istiklol
West Region
2024 Tajikistan Higher League champions
West Region
8th (2024–25)
West Region
Lion City Sailors
East Region
2024–25 Singapore Premier League champions 2024–25 Singapore Cup winners
East Region
12th (2024–25)
Arkadag
Arkadag
Entry round
Arkadag
West Region
2024–25 AFC Challenge League winners
West Region
1st
West Region
Tampines Rovers
East Region
2024–25 Singapore Premier League runners-up
East Region
16th (2024–25)
Qualifying play-off
Qualifying play-off
Entry round
Qualifying play-off
West Region
Goa
West Region
2025 Super Cup winners
West Region
1st
East Region
Persib
East Region
2024–25 Liga 1 champions
East Region
3rd (2024–25)
Ahal
Ahal
Entry round
Ahal
West Region
2024 Ýokary Liga runners-up
West Region
6th (2021)
West Region
Manila Digger
East Region
2024–25 Philippines Football League runners-up
East Region
1st
Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda
Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda
Entry round
Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda
West Region
2024 Tajikistan Cup winners
West Region
2nd (2013)
Al-Seeb
Al-Seeb
Entry round
Al-Seeb
West Region
2024–25 Oman Professional League champions
West Region
2nd (2022)
Entry round
West Region
East Region
Group stage
Team
Qualifying method
App. (last)
Team
Qualifying method
App. (last)
Sepahan
2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser
2nd (2024–25)
Bangkok United
2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round loser
2nd (2024–25)
Al-Nassr
2024–25 Saudi Pro League third place
1st
Gamba Osaka
2024 J1 League fourth place
1st
Al Wasl
2024–25 UAE Pro League fourth place
1st
Pohang Steelers
2024 Korean FA Cup winners
1st
Al Ahli
2024–25 Qatar Stars League fourth place
1st
Beijing Guoan
2024 Chinese Super League fourth place
1st
Esteghlal
2024–25 Hazfi Cup winners
1st
BG Pathum United
2024–25 Thai League 1 third place
1st
Andijon
2024 Uzbekistan Cup winners
1st
Ratchaburi
2024–25 Thai League 1 fourth place
1st
Al-Zawraa
2024–25 Iraq Stars League runners-up
6th (2023–24)
Macarthur FC
2024 Australia Cup winners
2nd (2023–24)
Al-Hussein
2024–25 Jordanian Pro League champions
3rd (2024–25)
Selangor
2024–25 Malaysia Super League runners-up
7th (2024–25)
Al-Wehdat
2024–25 Jordan FA Cup winners
14th (2024–25)
Nam Định
2024–25 V 1 champions
2nd (2024–25)
Al-Muharraq
2024–25 Bahraini Premier League champions
8th (2021)
Công An Hà Nội
2024–25 Vietnamese Cup winners
1st
Al Khaldiya
2024–25 Bahraini King's Cup winners
3rd (2024–25)
Tai Po
2024–25 Hong Kong Premier League champions
3rd (2019)
Mohun Bagan SG
2024–25 Indian Super League league shield winners
8th (2023–24)
Eastern
2024–25 Hong Kong FA Cup winners
5th (2024–25)
Istiklol
2024 Tajikistan Higher League champions
8th (2024–25)
Lion City Sailors
2024–25 Singapore Premier League champions 2024–25 Singapore Cup winners
12th (2024–25)
Arkadag
2024–25 AFC Challenge League winners
1st
Tampines Rovers
2024–25 Singapore Premier League runners-up
16th (2024–25)
Kaya–Iloilo
2024–25 Philippines Football League champions
6th (2024–25)
Qualifying play-off
Goa
2025 Super Cup winners
1st
Persib
2024–25 Liga 1 champions
3rd (2024–25)
Ahal
2024 Ýokary Liga runners-up
6th (2021)
Manila Digger
2024–25 Philippines Football League runners-up
1st
Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda
2024 Tajikistan Cup winners
2nd (2013)
Al-Seeb
2024–25 Oman Professional League champions
2nd (2022)
· Schedule
Preliminary Stage
Preliminary Stage
Stage
Preliminary Stage
Round
Preliminary stage 1
Draw date
No draw
West Region
13 August 2025
Group stage
Group stage
Stage
Group stage
Round
Matchday 1
Draw date
15 August 2025
West Region
16–17 September 2025
East Region
17–18 September 2025
Matchday 2
Matchday 2
Stage
Matchday 2
Round
30 September and 1 October 2025
Draw date
1–2 October 2025
Matchday 3
Matchday 3
Stage
Matchday 3
Round
21–22 October 2025
Draw date
22–23 October 2025
Matchday 4
Matchday 4
Stage
Matchday 4
Round
4–5 November 2025
Draw date
5–6 November 2025
Matchday 5
Matchday 5
Stage
Matchday 5
Round
28–29 October and 25–29 November 2025
Draw date
26–27 November 2025
Matchday 6
Matchday 6
Stage
Matchday 6
Round
23–24 December 2025
Draw date
10–11 December 2025
Knockout stage
Knockout stage
Stage
Knockout stage
Round
Round of 16
Draw date
30 December 2025
West Region
10–11 and 17–18 February 2026
East Region
11–12 and 18–19 February 2026
Quarter-finals
Quarter-finals
Stage
Quarter-finals
Round
19 April 2026
Draw date
4–5 and 11–12 March 2026
Semi-finals
Semi-finals
Stage
Semi-finals
Round
22 April 2026
Draw date
8 and 15 April 2026
Final
Final
Stage
Final
Round
16 May 2026 at King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
Stage
Round
Draw date
West Region
East Region
Preliminary Stage
Preliminary stage 1
No draw
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 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
19 April 2026
4–5 and 11–12 March 2026
Semi-finals
22 April 2026
8 and 15 April 2026
Final
16 May 2026 at King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh

References

  1. AFC Licensing (AFC): Association did not have a licensed club.
  2. Thailand (THA): As North Korea had no licensed teams to participate in AFC club competitions, their ACL2 spot was redist
  3. China (CHN): As 2024 Chinese FA Cup winners Shanghai Port qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league posi
  4. India (IND): Considered to have withdrawn during the league stage.
  5. Iraq (IRQ): As 2024–25 Iraq FA Cup winners Duhok failed to obtain an AFC license, their AFC Champions League Two group s
  6. Japan (JPN): As 2024 Emperor's Cup winners Vissel Kobe qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league positio
  7. Malaysia (MAS): As 2024 Malaysia FA Cup winners Johor Darul Ta'zim qualified for the Champions League Elite via their le
  8. Qatar (QAT): As regular season third place, Al-Gharafa, qualified for the Champions League Elite via winning the 2025 Em
  9. Saudi Arabia (KSA): As 2024–25 Saudi King's Cup winners Al-Ittihad qualified for the Champions League Elite via their le
  10. Singapore (SGP): As 2024–25 Singapore Cup winners Lion City Sailors qualified for the Champions League Two via their lea
  11. Turkmenistan (TKM): As Arkadag won the 2024–25 AFC Challenge League and the 2024 Ýokary Liga, Turkmenistan was allocated
  12. United Arab Emirates (UAE): As 2024–25 UAE President's Cup winners Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah qualified for the Champion
  13. Pre-determined format
  14. for Bahraini clubs
  15. On 27 September 2025, AFC announced that Mohun Bagan SG were considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League
  16. Head-to-head points: Bangkok United 6, Lion City Sailors 0.
  17. Tampines Rovers were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit, after Công An Hà Nội fielded two ineligible players, Stefan Mauk
  18. "Asian Champions League to relaunch with fewer teams and more prize money in 2024–25 season"
    https://apnews.com/article/asian-champions-league-benzema-neymar-ec1c9da0e1d04ffdd3a6dcf52694b2c2
  19. the-AFC
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/news/history_beckons_for_afc_cup%E2%84%A2_202324_contenders_as_final_edition_of_popular_competition_kicks_off.html
  20. the-AFC
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/committees/executive_committee/news/afc_executive_committee_approves_biggest_prize_purse_in_asian_club_football_history_from_202425_announces_afc_women’s_champions_league.html
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.