July 4 – The AFC has drawn the groups for the Women’s Champions League 2026/27 preliminary stage.

The draw held at the AFC’s Kuala Lumpur headquarters saw the 24 clubs — five more than last season — divided into six groups for the Preliminary Stage to be contested from August 17 to 23, 2026.

The six group winners will join the six clubs that qualified directly: defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC (PRK) and the top-ranked quintet of Melbourne City FC (AUS), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (KOR), INAC Kobe Leonessa (JPN), Beijing Jingtan Football Club (CHN) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE).

Preliminary Stage group hosts are: Group A, Sabah FA, Malaysia; Group B, FC Ilbirs, Kyrgyz; Group C Banaat FC; Group D, College of Asian Scholars of Thailand; Group E, CSKA Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Group F, Ayeyawady FC , Myanmar.
The Preliminary Stage winners qualify for the Group Stage proper which will also be played in a centralised format, from November 1 to 7, 2026. The Draw is scheduled for September 3.

Draw Result

Group A: East Bengal FC (IND), Sabah FA (MAS, H), Rovers FC (GUM), Rajshahi Stars FC (BAN)

Group B: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), TSL FC (HKG), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM), FC Ilbirs (KGZ, H)

Group C: Banaat FC (UAE), PFC Nasaf (UZB, H), Master FC (LAO), Royal Thimphu College FC (BHU)

Group D: College of Asian Scholars (THA, H), 4.25 SC (PRK), Kharaatsai FC (MNG), S’Amuser FC (TLS)

Group E: Bam Khatoon FC (IRN), Etihad Club (JOR), Al Nassr Club (KSA), FC CSKA Dushanbe (TJK, H)

Group F: New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE), Ayeyawady FC – Women (MYA, H), FC Jurong (SGP), No Limits FC (LBN)

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]