CAHN FC set to face five Japanese clubs in AFC Champions League Elite group stage

The 2026/2027 AFC Champions League Elite features 32 teams split into East and West regions, with 16 clubs in each zone. Under the tournament format, each team is drawn against eight different opponents, playing eight matches to determine the standings. The top eight teams from each region will advance to the knockout stage.

The official group-stage draw and match schedule will take place on August 18. In the East region, where CAHN FC competes, the 16 clubs are divided into four seeding pots. Placed in Pot 4, the reigning V.League champions will play two opponents from each of Pots 1, 2, 3, and 4, resulting in four home and four away fixtures generated randomly by computer software.

A key draw restriction prohibits clubs from the same national association from meeting in the group stage. Pot 4 includes two Japanese teams, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka. Consequently, Japanese clubs in Pots 1, 2, and 3, namely Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, and Kashiwa Reysol, cannot be drawn against those two sides.

Furthermore, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka cannot play each other, leaving them eligible to meet only the remaining two Pot 4 teams: CAHN FC of Vietnam and Ratchaburi FC of Thailand.

As a result, CAHN FC is guaranteed to meet all five Japanese clubs in the tournament, namely Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga, and Gamba Osaka.

The August 18 draw will formally determine CAHN FC’s remaining three opponents and establish the detailed schedule for their eight group-stage matches running from September 2026 to February 2027.

Cong An Ha Noi beat Adelaide United, reach AFC Champions League Elite

VOV.VN - Cong An Ha Noi FC have made history for Vietnamese football after defeating Australia’s Adelaide United 2-0 away from home on August 11 to secure a place in the League Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27.