The AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 begins on February 10, 2026, marking the start of the knockout phase. After an intense group stage, the competition now narrows down as teams battle for a place in the quarterfinals.
A total of 16 teams remain in contention, split across East and West Asia. The Round of 16 is played over two legs, with home-and-away fixtures scheduled across February.
This article provides a detailed look at the Round of 16 schedule, qualified teams and squads, match venues, and other key updates from the tournament.
AFC Champions League Two Schedule
| Date | Stage / Matchday | Home Team | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Esteghlal FC (IRN) | Al Hussein (JOR) |
| February 10, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Al Zawraa SC (IRQ) | Al Wasl FC (UAE) |
| February 11, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) | Tampines Rovers FC (SGP) |
| February 11, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Ratchaburi FC (THA) | Persib Bandung (IDN) |
| February 11, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | FK Arkadag (TKM) | Al Nassr Club (KSA) |
| February 11, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN) | Al Ahli SC (QAT) |
| February 12, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) | Gamba Osaka (JPN) |
| February 12, 2026 | Round of 16 – First Leg | Bangkok United (THA) | Macarthur FC (AUS) |
| February 17, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Al Wasl FC (UAE) | Al Zawraa SC (IRQ) |
| February 17, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Al Hussein (JOR) | Esteghlal FC (IRN) |
| February 18, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Tampines Rovers FC (SGP) | Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) |
| February 18, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Persib Bandung (IDN) | Ratchaburi FC (THA) |
| February 18, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Al Ahli SC (QAT) | Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN) |
| February 18, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Al Nassr Club (KSA) | FK Arkadag (TKM) |
| February 19, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Macarthur FC (AUS) | Bangkok United (THA) |
| February 19, 2026 | Round of 16 – Second Leg | Gamba Osaka (JPN) | FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) |
AFC Champions League Two Teams
Here are the 16 teams of the AFC Champions League Two categorized by their regions:
West Region (8 Teams)
- Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
- Al Wasl (UAE)
- Al Ahli SC (Qatar)
- Esteghlal FC (Iran)
- Sepahan SC (Iran)
- Al Hussein (Jordan)
- Al Zawraa (Iraq)
- FK Arkadag (Turkmenistan)
East Region (8 Teams)
- Gamba Osaka (Japan)
- Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
- Bangkok United (Thailand)
- Ratchaburi FC (Thailand)
- Macarthur FC (Australia)
- Persib Bandung (Indonesia)
- Tampines Rovers (Singapore)
- Cong An Ha Noi (Vietnam)
AFC Champions League Two Format [Round of 16]
The upcoming AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 will be played in a two-legged knockout format, with teams facing each other once at home and once away.
The aggregate score across both legs decides which team progresses to the Quarter-finals.
If the scores are level after the second leg, away goals do not apply. The tie is settled through 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if required.
During this stage, teams continue to compete within their respective West and East regions, with no cross-regional matchups.
AFC Champions League Two Venue [Round of 16]
The 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two Round of 16, held in February 2026, is played in a home-and-away format, with teams competing across Asia for a place in the quarter-finals.
In the West Zone, matches are held at well-known venues, including Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, Al Zawraa Stadium in Baghdad, Amman International Stadium, and King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
The East Zone fixtures are held at Ratchaburi Stadium, Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, and Suita City Football Stadium in Suita, underscoring the tournament’s broad geographic reach.
Standout Performances In The AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage And Group Stage
The 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two began on August 13, 2025, with the preliminary stage, followed by the group stage from September 16 to late December.
Both phases produced standout performances, showcasing emerging talents and strong team displays across the competition.
In the Preliminary Stage, FC Goa’s Dejan Drazic stood out with a brilliant solo goal that secured his team’s place in the group stage. Ahal FC also impressed by battling through a tough playoff to represent Turkmenistan in the competition.
During the Group Stage, the East Region produced a four-way tie for top scorer, with Anderson Lopes and Trent Buhagiar among those scoring five goals each. In the West, Al Nassr dominated their group with a perfect record, driven by sharp finishing from their attacking stars.
As the Round of 16 begins, teams like Gamba Osaka and Al Ahli SC stand out after strong group-stage performances. With knockout football now underway, the pressure is on to deliver decisive results.
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Conclusion: The AFC Champions League Two [Round Of 16] Starts on February 10, 2026
The AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 kicks off on February 10, 2026, and this is where things really start to heat up. With two-legged ties across February, every goal and every decision can change the course of a matchup.
Only 16 teams are still in the hunt, split between the East and West regions. These sides have fought their way through the early stages and now face the pressure of knockout football.
Keep watching, follow your favorite teams, and stay tuned as the battle for the quarter-finals unfolds.
