Superstar of the Saudi Pro League Neymar will play in his debut Asian Champions League match after Al-Hilal, runners-up the previous year, were paired with Nassaji Mazandaran FC of Iran, Mumbai City FC of India, and Navbahor of Uzbekistan.
Ahead of matches against teams from central to eastern Asia, Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema of Al-Ittihad will make their club debuts in the group stage of Asia’s top club football championship.
Saudi Arabia has been on a purchasing spree of sporting goods thanks to its vast oil resources as part of ambitions to diversify its economy and draw in investment and tourists.
Al-Hilal has won four championships in the AFC Champions League, which puts them in first place.
Al-Hilal intends to win the championship a record-tying fifth time in 2023–24 with the flashy Brazilian player Neymar in their ranks.
Al-Nassr, who advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 and 2021 competitions, will compete against Persepolis FC of Iran, Al-Duhail SC of Qatar, and FC Istiklol of Tajikistan.
After obtaining the services of French talents Benzema and N’Golo Kante, Saudi Pro League winners Al-Ittihad will be aiming for their first Asian winners League victory since winning back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005.
They will compete against Sepahan SC of Iran, Air Force Club of Iraq, and AGMK FC of Uzbekistan.
The reigning champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan will compete for the championship from the eastern division against Wuhan Three Towns FC of China, Pohang Steelers of South Korea, and Hanoi FC of Vietnam.
Windsor John, secretary-general of the Asian Football Confederation, said that all of the qualifying teams faced difficult ties throughout the campaign after the draw at the organization’s offices in Kuala Lumpur.
He warned AFP that there would be “no easy matches” and said that “a video assistant referee (VAR) system will be implemented from the group stage.”
The knockout round will begin on February 12 after the group stage concludes on September 18.
The two-leg championship match will be held on May 11 and May 18, 2024.
Pakhtakor (UZB), Al-Fayha (KSA), Ahal (TKM), and Al-Ain (UAE) are the teams in Group A.
Al-Faisaly (JOR), Sharjah FC (UAE), FC Nasaf (UZB), and Al Sadd SC (QAT) make up Group B.
Al-Ittihad (KSA), Sepahan SC (IRN), Air Force Club (IRQ), and AGMK FC (UZB) are members of Group C.
Al-Hilal SFC (KSA), Navbahor (UZB), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN), and Mumbai City FC make up Group D.
Al-Duhail SC (QAT), FC Istiklol (TJK), Persepolis FC (IRN), and Al Nassr (KSA) make up Group E.
Lion City Sailors (SGP), Kitchee SC (HKG), Bangkok United (THA), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) make up Group F.
Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Incheon United FC (KOR), Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Shandong Taishan FC (CHN), and
Buriram United (THA), Zhejiang FC (CHN), Ventforet Kofu (JPN), and Melbourne City FC (AUS) are the teams in Group H.
Group I includes BG Pathum United (THA), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), and Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR).
Group J includes Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Hanoi FC (VIE), and Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN).