AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 Group Stage Draw To Take Place

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that the Group Stage draw for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 will be held on Thursday at 3 pm. The draw will reveal which teams will compete against each other in the upcoming tournament.

Location and Format

The draw will take place at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. The 12 participating teams will be divided into three equal groups. They will compete in a centralized league format, with matches scheduled from 9th to 23rd November 2025.

Teams Participating

The tournament will feature the continent’s top six clubs based on the AFC Women’s Club Competition Ranking 2024/25. Additionally, six teams will join after successfully qualifying through the Preliminary Stage, which had a record 19 teams competing.

Defending Champions

China PR’s Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC will return to defend their title. As defending champions, they are the top-seeded team in the draw, highlighting their strong position in Asian women’s football.

Debut Clubs

Eight clubs will make their Group Stage debut in this edition. These are:

• Tokyo Verdy Beleza

• ISPE WFC

• Lion City Sailors FC

• PFC Nasaf

• East Bengal FC

• Suwon FC Women

• Stallion Laguna FC

• Naegohyang Women’s FC

Among these, Stallion Laguna, East Bengal, PFC Nasaf, and Naegohyang Women’s FC are also making their first-ever appearance in a continental tournament.

Seeding and Hosts

Teams have been seeded for the draw according to the Competition Ranking. The defending champions, Wuhan Jiangda, are placed in the top-seed pot. The three host nations’ teams are placed in a separate pot to ensure balanced group distribution.

Group Stage Venues

Matches will be hosted in three countries:

• Myanmar: 9th to 15th November

• Vietnam: 13th to 19th November

• China: 17th to 23rd November

This arrangement allows for a centralized and organized schedule, giving all teams an equal opportunity to compete in a controlled environment.

Advancing to Knockout Stage

After the Group Stage, eight clubs will advance to the Knockout Stage. These include:

• The top two finishers from each group

• The two best third-placed teams overall

The Quarter-final pairings will be decided through another draw and will be played as single-leg matches in March 2026.

Importance of the Tournament

The AFC Women’s Champions League is a prestigious tournament in Asia, giving clubs an opportunity to compete at a high level and gain continental recognition. It also helps develop women’s football in the region and provides a platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent internationally.

Record Participation in Preliminary Stage

The Preliminary Stage saw a record 19 teams competing for six Group Stage spots. This reflects the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s football in Asia. New clubs entering the tournament will gain valuable experience and exposure on the continental stage.

Centralized League Benefits

Using a centralized league format ensures fairness in scheduling and helps minimize travel strain on the teams. It also allows fans, officials, and media to focus on a few key venues, increasing the visibility and coverage of women’s football.

Highlights for Debuting Clubs

Debuting clubs like Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Lion City Sailors FC, and Naegohyang Women’s FC are expected to make an impact on the competition. Their participation increases the diversity and competitiveness of the tournament, encouraging more clubs in Asia to invest in women’s football programs.

Defending Champion’s Challenge

For Wuhan Jiangda, defending the title will be challenging, as they face new and experienced opponents. Their top-seed status reflects their performance in past editions, but they must perform consistently to remain continental champions.

Knockout Stage Format

The Knockout Stage will consist of Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and the Final. All matches will be single-leg, meaning each game is decisive. This format increases the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament, as teams have no second chance in these matches.

Fan Engagement and Media Coverage

The tournament is expected to attract high attention from fans and media across Asia. Centralized venues and the presence of top-ranked clubs ensure a high level of competition and entertainment for supporters of women’s football.

Promoting Women’s Football in Asia

The AFC Women’s Champions League plays a critical role in promoting women’s football in Asia. By providing competitive opportunities, it helps raise the standard of play and encourages more investment in training and infrastructure for women’s football programs.

Future Prospects

The growing popularity and competitive nature of the tournament indicate that more clubs and countries will participate in the future. This will continue to strengthen women’s football in Asia and create more opportunities for young players to develop their skills at the continental level.

The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 promises to be an exciting and highly competitive tournament. With top Asian clubs, debuting teams, and a centralized format, the competition will showcase the best of women’s football in the continent. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches and talented performances as the tournament unfolds from 9th to 23rd November 2025, leading to the Knockout Stage in March 2026.

AFC Women’s League, Champions League Draw, Group Stage Fixtures