AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Draw: Date, Timing, Teams, Pots & Live Streaming Info

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March 14 2026, 05:00 PM

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The best clubs in Asia will know their path in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2023/24, starting with the Group Stage, which is set to start in September 2023.

Marking the first instance of the AFC Club Competitions calendar shifting from its current Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring calendar, the 21st edition of the flagship club competition will take place from September 2023 to May 2024, as per a press release from Indian Super League (ISL).

ISL side Mumbai City FC will be part of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw

A total of 40 teams will be part of the draw for which berths of 32 contenders were confirmed previously, while the remaining eight slots have been decided through the Playoff Stage. The group stage will be divided into two zones - West and East.

The West Zone will see four former champions, namely Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC and Al Ittihad, Al Ain FC from the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar's Al Sadd SC attempt to reclaim the Continental throne.

ISL 2022-23 league shield winners Mumbai City FC, who will be representing India at the AFC Champions League for the second time, have been drawn in Pot 3 alongside Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), and Ahal FC (TKM).

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr also booked their berth via playoffs and will be in pot 4 of the west zone alongside the likes of Al Ain, Sharjah FC, Navbahor and AGMK FC.

Meanwhile, in the East Zone, defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan to join the ranks of former champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Ulsan Hyundai FC, and Pohang Steelers in the ACL Group Stage after a victory in the playoff round. Here is all you need to know:

When and where is the AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Draw?

The group stage draw will take place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday (August 24) at 4 PM Local Time, 1:30 PM IST, 12 PM (UAE) and 11 AM (Saudi Arabia).

Are there any restrictions in the AFC Champions League group stage draw?

Yes, owing to the principle of country protection, clubs from the same Member Association (MA) will not be drawn into the same group, meaning a Saudi Pro League side will not be grouped with another team from the same league.

How to watch the AFC Champions League group stage draw?

The draw will be live streamed on the official YouTube channel of the Asian Football Confederation - The AFC Hub from 1:30 PM IST on Thursday (August 24).

What are the pots for participating clubs in the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage Draw?

Divided into 10 groups of four, the draw will witness teams from the West Zone drawn into Groups A to E, while the contestants in the East Zone will find their places in Groups F to J. The pots are as follows:

West Zone

Pots	Teams
Pot 1	Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Persepolis FC (Iran), Al Sadd SC (Qatar), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)
Pot 2	Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Duhail SC (Qatar), FC Nasaf (Uzbekistan), Al Fayha FC (Saudi Arabia), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (Iran)
Pot 3	Al Faisaly (Jordan), FC Istiklol (Tajikistan), Air Force Club (Iraq), Ahal FC (Turkmenistan), Mumbai City FC (India)
Pot 4	Al Ain FC (UAE), Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Sharjah FC (UAE), AGMK FC (Uzbekistan), Navbahor (Uzbekistan)

East Zone

Pots	Teams
Pot 1	Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR), Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN), Buriram United (THA), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)
Pot 2	Ventforet Kofu (JPN), Shandong Taishan FC (CHN), Bangkok United (THA), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)
Pot 3	Hanoi FC (VIE), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS), Melbourne City FC (AUS), Lion City Sailors (SGP)
Pot 4	Kitchee SC (HKG), Incheon United FC (KOR), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Zhejiang FC (CHN), BG Pathum United (THA)

What next after the group stage of AFC Champions Leagu 2023-24 season?

The 10 group winners along with the three best runners-up of each Zone will book their places in the Knockout Stages, which will take place from February to April before the coveted Final is held over two legs on May 11 and 18, 2024.