In 2023, Mumbai City FC was clubbed along Neymar Junior’s Al Hilal, also of Saudi Arabia, but the Brazilian superstar did not play his club’s away match at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai as he suffered an injury before the fixture. Mumbai City FC lost that match 0-6 on November 6, 2023.

At that time, India was guaranteed a slot in the group stage of AFC Champions League (ACL), then the continent’s top tier club competition, but the country does no longer get a slot in the rechristened ACL Elite. Currently, it gets a direct spot as well as a play-off slot in the ACL 2.

FC Goa secured the group stage qualification after beating Al Seeb Club of Oman 2-1 in the play-off match in Margao on Wednesday. They will play continental football for the second time, having represented India in the 2021 AFC Champions League (ACL), then the continent’s top tier club competition.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the ISL 2024-25 Shield Winners, were drawn in Group C alongside Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein SC of Jordan and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan.

Sepahan SC are the Persian Gulf Pro League 2024-25 runners-up, while Al Hussein SC are the Jordanian Pro League 2024-25 champions, and Ahal FC are the runners-up of the Ýokary Liga 2024.

This will be Mohun Bagan SG’s eighth appearance in Asia’s second-tier club competition earlier called AFC Cup.

Thirty-two teams, 16 each in the West and the East Zone, have been divided into eight groups of four each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16.