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2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage

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The 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage is being played from September 2023 to December 2023.

A total of 40 teams are competing in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League.

Draw

The draw for the group stage was held on 24 August 2023 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four: five groups each in the West Region (Groups A–E) and the East Region (Groups F–J). For each region, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association, in consideration of the technical balance between groups. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.

Region Groups Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
West Region A–E Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal Iran Nassaji Jordan Al-Faisaly SC United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Iran Persepolis Qatar Al-Duhail Tajikistan Istiklol Uzbekistan Navbahor
Qatar Al-Sadd Uzbekistan Nasaf Qarshi Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya United Arab Emirates Sharjah
Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha Turkmenistan Ahal Änew Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr
Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad Iran Sepahan India Mumbai City Uzbekistan AGMK
East Region F–J South Korea Ulsan Hyundai Japan Ventforet Kofu Vietnam Hanoi FC Hong Kong Kitchee
Japan Yokohama F. Marinos China Shandong Taishan Philippines Kaya F.C.–Iloilo South Korea Incheon United
China Wuhan Three Towns Thailand Bangkok United Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim Japan Urawa Red Diamonds
Thailand Buriram United South Korea Pohang Steelers Australia Melbourne City China Zhejiang
South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Japan Kawasaki Frontale Singapore Lion City Sailors Thailand BG Pathum United

Format

In the group stage, each group will be played in a double round-robin format on home and away basis. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.

Tiebreakers

The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 8.3):[2]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams playing each other in the last round of the group are tied;
  8. Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
  9. Association ranking.

Schedule

The schedule of the competition is as follows.[3]

Stage Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Preliminary stage Preliminary round No draw 15–16 August 2023
Play-off stage Play-off round 22 August 2023
Group stage Matchday 1 24 August 2023 18–20 September 2023
Matchday 2 2–4 October 2023
Matchday 3 23–25 October 2023
Matchday 4 6–8 November 2023
Matchday 5 27–29 November 2023
Matchday 6 4–6 & 12–13 December 2023
Knockout stage Round of 16 21 December 2023 12–14 February 2024 19–21 February 2024
Quarter-finals 4–6 March 2024 11–13 March 2024
Semi-finals 16–17 April 2024 23–24 April 2024
Final 11 May 2024 18 May 2024

Groups

The detailed schedule was announced on 24 August 2023 after the draw ceremony.[4] It has been updated on 6 September.[5]

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AIN FEI PAK AHA
1 United Arab Emirates Al-Ain 6 5 0 1 17 9 +8 15 Advance to round of 16 4–1 1–3 4–2
2 Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha 6 3 0 3 12 10 +2 9 2–3 2–0 3–1
3 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor 6 2 1 3 8 11 −3 7 0–3 1–4 3–0
4 Turkmenistan Ahal 6 1 1 4 6 13 −7 4 1–2 1–0 1–1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Pakhtakor Uzbekistan0–3United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Report
Ahal Turkmenistan1–0Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha
Report
Attendance: 19,966

Al-Ain United Arab Emirates4–2Turkmenistan Ahal
Report
Attendance: 8,126
Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
Al-Fayha Saudi Arabia2–0Uzbekistan Pakhtakor
Sabiri 10', 71' Report

Al-Ain United Arab Emirates4–1Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha
Report
Attendance: 7,126
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
Pakhtakor Uzbekistan3–0Turkmenistan Ahal
Report

Al-Fayha Saudi Arabia2–3United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Report
Ahal Turkmenistan1–1Uzbekistan Pakhtakor
Report
Attendance: 17,270

Al-Ain United Arab EmiratesvUzbekistan Pakhtakor
Report
Al-Fayha Saudi ArabiavTurkmenistan Ahal
Report

Pakhtakor UzbekistanvSaudi Arabia Al-Fayha
Report
Ahal TurkmenistanvUnited Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Report

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NAS SAD SHJ FAI
1 Uzbekistan Nasaf 6 3 2 1 10 6 +4 11 Advance to round of 16 3–1 1–1 3–1
2 Qatar Al Sadd 6 2 2 2 11 7 +4 8[a] 2–2 0–0 6–0
3 United Arab Emirates Sharjah 6 2 2 2 4 5 −1 8[a] 1–0 0–2 1–0
4 Jordan Al-Faisaly 6 2 0 4 5 12 −7 6 0–1 2–0 2–1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Ranked on head-to-head points: Al Sadd 4, Sharjah 1.
Al-Faisaly Jordan0–1Uzbekistan Nasaf
Report Abdurakhmatov 90+7'
Al Sadd Qatar0–0United Arab Emirates Sharjah
Report

Sharjah United Arab Emirates1–0Jordan Al-Faisaly
Marega 20' Report
Attendance: 3,532
Nasaf Uzbekistan3–1Qatar Al Sadd
Report
Attendance: 8,428

Sharjah United Arab Emirates1–0Uzbekistan Nasaf
Caio Lucas 45+5' Report
Attendance: 1,163
Referee: Fu Ming (China)
Al Sadd Qatar6–0Jordan Al-Faisaly
Report
Attendance: 10,380
Referee: Khaled Al Teris (Saudi Arabia)

Nasaf Uzbekistan1–1United Arab Emirates Sharjah
Report
Attendance: 11,451
Referee: Mohammed Khled Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
Al-Faisaly Jordan2–0Qatar Al Sadd
Report
Attendance: 2,430
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

Nasaf UzbekistanvJordan Al-Faisaly
Report
Sharjah United Arab EmiratesvQatar Al Sadd
Report

Al-Faisaly JordanvUnited Arab Emirates Sharjah
Report
Al Sadd QatarvUzbekistan Nasaf
Report

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ITH SEP QWJ AGK
1 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad 6 5 0 1 11 4 +7 15 Advance to round of 16 2–1 1–0 3–0
2 Iran Sepahan 6 3 1 2 16 8 +8 10[a] 0–3[b] 1–0 9–0
3 Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 6 3 1 2 9 7 +2 10[a] 2–0 2–2 3–2
4 Uzbekistan AGMK 6 0 0 6 5 22 −17 0 1–2 1–3 1–2
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Ranked on head-to-head points: Sepahan 4, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1.
  2. ^ The match was abandoned after Al-Ittihad walked off in protest due to the presence of a sculpture of Qasem Soleimani on the pitch.[6] The match was awarded a 3–0 win to Al-Ittihad, with Sepahan also being fined $200,000 and banned from hosting its next three Asian Champions League matches at home.[7][8]
Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia3–0Uzbekistan AGMK
Report
Attendance: 13,897
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Iraq2–2Iran Sepahan
Report
Attendance: 10,327
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

AGMK Uzbekistan1–2Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Report
Sepahan Iran0–3[note 2]Saudi Arabia Al Ittihad
Report

AGMK Uzbekistan1–3Iran Sepahan
Report
Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Omar Mohamed Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia1–0Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Report

Sepahan Iran9–0Uzbekistan AGMK
Report
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Iraq2–0Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
Report

AGMK UzbekistanvSaudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
Report
Sepahan IranvIraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Report

Al-Ittihad Saudi ArabiavIran Sepahan
Report
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya IraqvUzbekistan AGMK
Report

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIL NAV NAS MUM
1 Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal 6 5 1 0 16 2 +14 16 Advance to round of 16 1–1 2–1 6–0
2 Uzbekistan Navbahor 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13 0–2 2–1 3–0
3 Iran Nassaji Mazandaran 6 2 0 4 7 10 −3 6 0–3 1–3 2–0
4 India Mumbai City 6 0 0 6 1 17 −16 0 0–2 1–2 0–2
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia1–1Uzbekistan Navbahor
Report
Mumbai City India0–2Iran Nassaji Mazandaran
Report
Attendance: 1,529
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)

Navbahor Uzbekistan3–0India Mumbai City
Report
Nassaji Mazandaran Iran0–3Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Report
Attendance: 34,850
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

Navbahor Uzbekistan2–1Iran Nassaji Mazandaran
Report
Attendance: 8,263
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia6–0India Mumbai City
Report

Nassaji Mazandaran Iran1–3Uzbekistan Navbahor
Report
Attendance: 2,700
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Mumbai City India0–2Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Report

Navbahor UzbekistanvSaudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Report
Nassaji Mazandaran IranvIndia Mumbai City
Report

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NSR PRS DUH IST
1 Saudi Arabia Al Nassr 6 4 2 0 13 7 +6 14 Advance to round of 16 0–0 4–3 3–1
2 Iran Persepolis 6 2 2 2 5 5 0 8 0–2 1–2 2–0
3 Qatar Al-Duhail 6 2 1 3 9 9 0 7 2–3 0–1 2–0
4 Tajikistan Istiklol 6 0 3 3 3 9 −6 3 1–1 1–1 0–0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Istiklol Tajikistan0–0Qatar Al-Duhail
Report
Attendance: 17,500
Referee: Ahmad Al Ali (Kuwait)
Persepolis Iran0–2Saudi Arabia Al Nassr
Report
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)

Al Nassr Saudi Arabia3–1Tajikistan Istiklol
Report Sebai 44'
Attendance: 20,770
Al-Duhail Qatar0–1Iran Persepolis
Report Alishah 63'
Attendance: 5,447
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)

Al Nassr Saudi Arabia4–3Qatar Al-Duhail
Report
Attendance: 20,752
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Persepolis Iran2–0Tajikistan Istiklol
Report
Attendance: 36,450

Al-Duhail Qatar2–3Saudi Arabia Al Nassr
Report
Attendance: 36,528
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Istiklol Tajikistan1–1Iran Persepolis
Sebai 74' Report Torabi 29'
Attendance: 12,500
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Al Nassr Saudi ArabiavIran Persepolis
Report
Al-Duhail QatarvTajikistan Istiklol
Report

Persepolis IranvQatar Al-Duhail
Report
Istiklol TajikistanvSaudi Arabia Al Nassr
Report

Group F

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification UTD JBH LCS KIT
1 Thailand Bangkok United 6 4 1 1 11 8 +3 13 Advance to round of 16 3–2 1–0 1–1
2 South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 6 4 0 2 12 9 +3 12 3–2 3–0 2–1
3 Singapore Lion City Sailors 6 2 0 4 5 9 −4 6 1–2 2–0 0–2
4 Hong Kong Kitchee 6 1 1 4 7 9 −2 4 1–2 1–2 1–2
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea2–1Hong Kong Kitchee
Report
Attendance: 2,931
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifar (Iran)
Lion City Sailors Singapore1–2Thailand Bangkok United
Report
Attendance: 2,927
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

Bangkok United Thailand3–2South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Report
Attendance: 2,190
Referee: Adel Al Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
Kitchee Hong Kong1–2Singapore Lion City Sailors
Report

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea3–0Singapore Lion City Sailors
Report
Kitchee Hong Kong1–2Thailand Bangkok United
Report
Attendance: 2,259
Referee: Majed Mohammed Alshamrani (Saudi Arabia)

Lion City Sailors Singapore2–0South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Report
Attendance: 3,562
Referee: Mouood Bonyadifar (Iran)
Bangkok United Thailand1–1Hong Kong Kitchee
Report

Bangkok United ThailandvSingapore Lion City Sailors
Report

Lion City Sailors SingaporevHong Kong Kitchee
Report

Group G

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification FMA SHT ICN KAY
1 Japan Yokohama F. Marinos 6 4 0 2 12 7 +5 12[a] Advance to round of 16 3–0 2–4 3–0
2 China Shandong Taishan 6 4 0 2 14 7 +7 12[a] 0–1 3–1 6–1
3 South Korea Incheon United 6 4 0 2 14 9 +5 12[a] 2–1 0–2 4–0
4 Philippines Kaya–Iloilo 6 0 0 6 4 21 −17 0 1–2 1–3 1–3
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c Head-to-head goal difference: Yokohama F. Marinos +1, Shandong Taishan 0, Incheon United −1.
Yokohama F. Marinos Japan2–4South Korea Incheon United
Report
Attendance: 7,010
Referee: Khalid Saleh (Saudi Arabia)
Kaya–Iloilo Philippines1–3China Shandong Taishan
Report
Attendance: 1,728
Referee: Ammar Ashkanani (Kuwait)

Incheon United South Korea4–0Philippines Kaya–Iloilo
Report
Attendance: 8,582
Referee: Abdulla Al-Marri (Qatar)
Shandong Taishan China0–1Japan Yokohama F. Marinos
Report
Attendance: 43,783
Referee: Ahmed Issa (United Arab Emirates)

Incheon United South Korea0–2China Shandong Taishan
Report
Attendance: 7,277
Referee: Akhrol Risqullaev (Uzbekistan)
Yokohama F. Marinos Japan3–0Philippines Kaya–Iloilo
Report
Attendance: 7,524
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

Shandong Taishan China3–1South Korea Incheon United
Report
Attendance: 20,723
Referee: Adel Al Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
Kaya–Iloilo Philippines1–2Japan Yokohama F. Marinos
Report
Attendance: 956
Referee: Ammar Ashkanani (Kuwait)


Group H

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification VEN MCY ZHP BUR
1 Japan Ventforet Kofu 6 3 2 1 11 8 +3 11 Advance to round of 16 3–3 4–1 1–0
2 Australia Melbourne City 6 2 3 1 8 6 +2 9 0–0 1–1 0–1
3 China Zhejiang 6 2 1 3 9 13 −4 7 2–0 1–2 3–2
4 Thailand Buriram United 6 2 0 4 9 10 −1 6 2–3 0–2 4–1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Buriram United Thailand4–1China Zhejiang
Report
Attendance: 20,635
Melbourne City Australia0–0Japan Ventforet Kofu
Report
Attendance: 3,245
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)

Zhejiang China1–2Australia Melbourne City
Report
Attendance: 18,798
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
Ventforet Kofu Japan1–0Thailand Buriram United
Report
Attendance: 11,802
Referee: Akhrol Risqullaev (Uzbekistan)

Zhejiang China2–0Japan Ventforet Kofu
Report
Buriram United Thailand0–2Australia Melbourne City
Report
Attendance: 17,265
Referee: Omar Mohamed Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)

Ventforet Kofu Japan4–1China Zhejiang
Report
Melbourne City Australia0–1Thailand Buriram United
Report
Attendance: 2,472
Referee: Majed Mohammed Alshamrani (Saudi Arabia)

Zhejiang ChinavThailand Buriram United
Report

Buriram United ThailandvJapan Ventforet Kofu
Report
Melbourne City AustraliavChina Zhejiang
Report

Group I

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KWF UHD JDT BGP
1 Japan Kawasaki Frontale 6 5 1 0 17 6 +11 16 Advance to round of 16 1–0 5–0 4–2
2 South Korea Ulsan Hyundai 6 3 1 2 12 8 +4 10 2–2 3–1 3–1
3 Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 6 3 0 3 11 13 −2 9 0–1 2–1 4–1
4 Thailand BG Pathum United 6 0 0 6 9 22 −13 0 2–4 1–3 2–4
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Ulsan Hyundai South Korea3–1Thailand BG Pathum United
Ádám 28', 73', 78' Report Ryhan 41'
Johor Darul Ta'zim Malaysia0–1Japan Kawasaki Frontale
Report Marcinho 45'

Kawasaki Frontale Japan1–0South Korea Ulsan Hyundai
Tachibanada 89' Report
Attendance: 9,382
Referee: Mohammed Khled Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
BG Pathum United Thailand2–4Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim
Report

Ulsan Hyundai South Korea3–1Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim
Report
BG Pathum United Thailand2–4Japan Kawasaki Frontale
Report
Attendance: 6,998
Referee: Mouood Bonyadifar (Iran)

Kawasaki Frontale Japan4–2Thailand BG Pathum United
Report
Johor Darul Ta'zim Malaysia2–1South Korea Ulsan Hyundai
Report

BG Pathum United ThailandvSouth Korea Ulsan Hyundai
Report

Group J

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification POH RED HAN WTT
1 South Korea Pohang Steelers 6 5 1 0 14 5 +9 16 Advance to round of 16 2–1 2–0 3–1
2 Japan Urawa Red Diamonds 6 2 1 3 12 9 +3 7 0–2 6–0 2–1
3 Vietnam Hanoi FC 6 2 0 4 7 16 −9 6 2–4 2–1 2–1
4 China Wuhan Three Towns 6 1 2 3 8 11 −3 5 1–1 2–2 2–1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Wuhan Three Towns China2–2Japan Urawa Red Diamonds
Report
Attendance: 27,599
Referee: Omar Mohamed Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Hanoi FC Vietnam2–4South Korea Pohang Steelers
Report

Urawa Red Diamonds Japan6–0Vietnam Hanoi FC
Report
Attendance: 10,333
Pohang Steelers South Korea3–1China Wuhan Three Towns
Report
Attendance: 3,818
Referee: Mouood Bonyadifar (Iran)

Urawa Red Diamonds Japan0–2South Korea Pohang Steelers
Report
Attendance: 13,970
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Wuhan Three Towns China2–1Vietnam Hanoi FC
Report
Attendance: 19,112

Pohang Steelers South Korea2–1Japan Urawa Red Diamonds
Report
Attendance: 4,953
Hanoi FC Vietnam2–1China Wuhan Three Towns
Report
Attendance: 9,888
Referee: Akhrol Risqullaev (Uzbekistan)

Pohang Steelers South KoreavVietnam Hanoi FC
Report

Wuhan Three Towns ChinavSouth Korea Pohang Steelers
Report

Ranking of second-placed teams

West Region

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D Uzbekistan Navbahor 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13 Advance to round of 16
2 C Iran Sepahan 6 3 1 2 16 8 +8 10
3 A Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha 6 3 0 3 12 10 +2 9
4 B Qatar Al Sadd 6 2 2 2 11 7 +4 8
5 E Iran Persepolis 6 2 2 2 5 5 0 8
Source: AFC

East Region

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 G China Shandong Taishan 6 4 0 2 14 7 +7 12 Advance to round of 16
2 F South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 6 4 0 2 12 9 +3 12
3 I South Korea Ulsan Hyundai 6 3 1 2 12 8 +4 10
4 H Australia Melbourne City 6 2 3 1 8 6 +2 9
5 J Japan Urawa Red Diamonds 6 2 1 3 12 9 +3 7
Source: AFC

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Team is not using their own home stadium.
  2. ^ The match was abandoned due to the visiting team's protest over the presence of a sculpture of Qasem Soleimani on the pitch, The result of the match was 3–0 to Ittihad FC due to Sepahan S.C.'s violation of the rules.[9]
  3. ^ a b Due to the violations committed about Qassem Soleimani before the home match against Ittihad FC, Sepahan S.C. was banned from playing 3 home matches of the AFC Champions League at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium. So Sepahan selected Azadi Stadium for their remaining home matches. If Sepahan does not qualify for the knockout stage, this ban will only be considered for the remaining two home matches in the group stage.[10]

References

  1. ^ "#ACL: Teams learn the path to glory". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Competition Regulations AFC Champions League 2023/24" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Asian Football Calendar (Aug 2023 - Jul 2024)". The AFC. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ^ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. ^ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule (as at 6 September 2023)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  6. ^ Blow, Tom (2 October 2023). "Al-Ittihad match cancelled as they refuse to play in Iran due to statue by pitch". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Iranian club Sepahan penalized over canceled ACL match after Saudi team's walkout". AP News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Al-Ittihad's match against Iran's Sepahan 3-0 for saudi side due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium". Arab News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Al-Ittihad's match against Iran's Sepahan 3-0 for saudi side due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium". Arab News. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  10. ^ "Sepahan handed fine, stadium ban after Al-Ittihad cancellation". Reuters. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  11. ^ a b "Mumbai City To Play AFC Champions League 'Home' Games In Pune". Mumbai City FC. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Venue Update: Mumbai City FC vs Al Hilal SFC". Mumbai City FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.