The AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 kicks off on September 16 and ends on December 24. Indian clubs Mohun Bagan Super Mammoth and FC Goa will compete in Groups C and D, respectively. Then, FC Goa begins at home against Iraq’s Al-Zawraa the next evening.
The greatest draw for Indian fans will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr going to Goa on October 22. FC Goa will host all three of its domestic games at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In contrast, Mohun Bagan will play its matches in Kolkata.
A Memorable Draw
Al Nassr has been drawn in Bunch D alongside FC Goa (India), Istiklol (Tajikistan), and Al-Zawraa (Iraq). The best 2 clubs from each bunch will progress to the next round.
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Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s star power
At 40, Ronaldo remains one of football’s most notorious names, in spite of the fact that he has however to win a major trophy with Al Nassr since joining in 2022. The team placed third in the Saudi Professional Alliance last season. Now, it expects its best players to be ready for the mainland tournament.
Boost for Indian Football
For Indian football fans, this event offers more than a big experience. It also gives a much-needed lift to the local game. For Indian football, this is noteworthy. We are here to justify this. A coordinate like this lets us compete on the mainland.
It also helps us be part of the sport’s greatest stories,” Puskur said. He said the excitement would spread across the country, sparking more interest in local football. It’s a unique chance to shine a global spotlight on Indian football. Most importantly, it aims to boost fan engagement and give the sport the attention it truly deserves.
Challenges In Indian Football
The point of interest installation comes at a troublesome time for Indian residential football. The 2025–26 Indian Super Association (ISL) season was set to begin in September. It’s on hold because of problems with the agreement between the All India Football Alliance (AIFF) and Football Sports Advancement Ltd. This matter is currently awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court.
Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC, along with other ISL clubs, have paused player payments or closed down until they get more clarity. Despite the household challenges, Puskur accepts the Ronaldo-led clash can have a enduring impact:
While the money related boost is critical, the greater picture is the opportunity this makes for long-term development. Moments like this boost global interest, sponsorship, and fan engagement. They help to strengthen the club’s foundation. This allows us to invest in the future. With Cristiano Ronaldo returning to India, fans are excited. They look forward to a show that could change the country's football story.
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Organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the ACL 2 is the second-tier club football competition in Asia. It sits just below the AFC Champions Alliance First Class. Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates lifted the inaugural title final season 2025.
Groups in each bunch will play each other in home and away matches. The top two teams will move on to the round of 16, set for February next year. The quarter-finals will be played in Walk, semi-finals in April and the ACL Two 2025-26 last is planned to be played at a impartial scene on May 16.
Mohun Bagan qualified for the AFC Champions Alliance Two by winning the Indian Super Alliance Shield final season. FC Goa secured a playoff spot after winning the Super Container. The Gaurs at that point beat Omani club Al Seeb in the playoff circular to qualify for the crucial competition.
AFC Champions Association Two 2025-26 bunches and teams
Bunch A: Al Wasl FC (UAE), Esteghlal FC (IRN), Al Muharraq SC (BHR), Al Wehdat (JOR)
Group B: Al Ahli SC (QAT), PFC Andijon (UZB), FC Arkadag (TKM), Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Group C: Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Hussein (JOR), Mohun Bagan Super Mammoth (IND), Ahal FC (TKM)
Group D: Al Nassr Club (KSA), Al Zawraa SC (IRQ), FC Istiklol (TJK), FC Goa (IND)
Group E: Beijing FC (CHN), Macarthur FC (AUS), Tai Po FC (HKG), Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Group F: Gamba Osaka (JPN), Nam Dinh FC (Compete), Ratchaburi FC (THA), Eastern FC (HKG)
Group G: Bangkok Joined together (THA), Selangor FC (MAS), Lion City Sailors FC (SGP), Persib Bandung (IDN)
Group H: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR), BG Pathum Joined together (THA), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Tampines Meanderers FC
FAQ's- Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Rock Goa
Which nation is FC Goa in?
Football Club Goa is a proficient affiliation football club based in Goa, India, that plays in Indian Super Alliance. The club was shaped in 2014 and played its to begin with competitive coordinate on 15 October 2014, when it misplaced 2–1 to Chennaiyin FC.
Who will be the following Ronaldo?
The Brazilian has actually drawn comparisons with his compatriot Neymar but his playing fashion too brings to intellect a youthful Ronaldo. He is solid, speedy, precarious and imaginative with a awesome eye for goal.
Why did Ronaldo take off Genuine Madrid?
Ronaldo told France Football in an passage from an meet discharged on Monday: I felt that interior the club, particularly on the portion of the president, I was not beneath the same thought as I was when I begun with the club. The to begin with four or five a long time there, I had the feeling of being Cristiano Ronaldo.
Is Dhoni wealthier than Ronaldo?
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is the wealthiest individual in the world, with a net worth of $363 billion. After Musk is Check Zuckerberg, originator of Meta (Facebook). Other very rich people with a few of the biggest net worths incorporate LVMH's Arnault, Microsoft's Charge Entryways, and Oracle's Larry Ellison.
Who has more fans, Ronaldo or Messi?
As of the most recent information, Messi has a gigantic taking after on stages such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Additionally, Ronaldo moreover brags an amazing number of adherents. In any case, the numbers somewhat favor Messi, showing a broader fan base on social media.
What was Ronaldo's to begin with goal?
On 29 September 2002, Ronaldo made his make a big appearance in the Primeira Liga, playing for Donning CP's to begin with group against Braga, and on 7 October, he scored two objectives against Moreirense in their 3–0 win.
