Mumbai City FC is set to embark on their second journey in the AFC Champions League, proudly representing India. Making history in 2022, they secured India’s first victory in the prestigious league by triumphing over Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya with a score of 2-1.
After clinching the League Winner’s Shield for the 2022-23 Indian Super League season, Mumbai City FC secured their spot in the continent’s premier club tournament by defeating the reigning champions, Jamshedpur FC, in a high-stakes play-off.
Amid the challenging backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the AFC Champions League returns to Indian soil, with Mumbai City FC opting to host their ‘home’ games at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune. This strategic move was necessitated by the infrastructural limitations of the Mumbai Football Arena.
As the anticipation builds among fans, the prospect of global football icons gracing Indian fields gains momentum. Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has sparked hopes of a visit from the Portuguese superstar. The transfer window also saw other international stars following Ronaldo’s path to Saudi Arabia, including Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, and David Ospina.
In the realm of possibilities, Neymar or Karim Benzema might also make their presence felt in India. Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could potentially join Neymar, while Al-Ittihad’s N’Golo Kante and Finaho might accompany Benzema.
With the AFC Champions League draw on the horizon, Mumbai City FC is poised to either face Saudi teams or contend with clubs like Al Ain FC from the UAE, Qatar’s Al Sadd SC, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor, and Iran’s Persepolis in the West Zone.
Should Mumbai City FC advance from their group, they could cross paths with another City Football Group team, Yokohama F. Marinos from Japan, provided both teams progress to the knockout stage.
Mumbai City FC finds themselves in Pot 3 for the draw, scheduled to take place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on August 24 (Thursday). The draw will be live-streamed on the AFC Hub YouTube channel from 1:30 PM IST onwards.
In the AFC Champions League group stage draw:
West Zone
- Pot 1: Al Ittihad (KSA), Persepolis FC (IRN), Al Sadd SC (QAT), Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
- Pot 2: Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Duhail SC (QAT), FC Nasaf (UZB), Al Fayha FC (KSA), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN)
- Pot 3: Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), Ahal FC (TKM), Mumbai City FC (IND)
- Pot 4: Al Ain FC (UAE), Al Nassr (KSA), Sharjah FC (UAE), AGMK FC (UZB), Navbahor (UZB)
East Zone
- 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)
This edition of the AFC Club Competitions showcases a significant shift in the calendar, moving from the Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring timeframe. The 21st edition of AFC’s flagship club competition is slated to unfold from September 2023 to May 2024.
