With the coveted AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw on August 24, Mumbai City FC will look for an easy group.
The AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw will take place on August 24, 2023. The 40 teams will be divided into ten groups of four, five in the West Region (Groups A-E) and five in the East Region (Groups F-J). Mumbai City FC, the ISL Shield champions, will represent India in the ACL for the second time in a row in 2023-24.
Teams are seeded into four pots for each region and drawn into the appropriate positions within each group. It will be determined by their association’s standing and seeding within their association. In addition, the technical balance between groups will be considered. Teams from the same organisation, however, could not be placed in the same group.
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Mumbai City FC won the ISL Shield last season and met the winners of the 2021-22 Shield, Jamshedpur FC, in a playoff game. It was for a position in the AFC Champions League in 2023-24. In April, they overcame Jamshedpur FC 3-1 to secure their place in the competition.
As a result, the club is under a lot of pressure to make the most of the opportunity. They are drawn in the Western region and might face any of the four Saudi Arabian clubs: Al-Ittifaq, Al-Hilal, or Al-Fayha. Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s squad, is also involved. On August 22, Al Nassr will compete in the qualifying round.
In 2022, the Islanders made history. They became the first Indian club to win the AFC Champions League. They defeated the Iraqi Air Force Club.
The AFC has officially stated that Indian clubs would no longer compete in the ACL beginning with the 2024-25 season. As a result, Mumbai City FC will be the final Indian club to compete in Asia’s premier football championship.
However, there is still room for an Indian club to compete in the AFC Champions League. The winner of the AFC Cup, the Asian club competition’s second division, will get direct qualification for the group stages.
Odisha FC is currently scheduled to compete in the 2023-24 AFC Cup. Mohun Bagan Super Giant may also join them, depending on the outcome of their match against Abhahani Dhaka on August 22.
