The stage is set for an exciting football showdown as the AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage draw has been officially announced. Nineteen teams from across Asia will compete between August 23 and 31 in a centralised league format. These teams have been split into five groups — four groups of four and one group of three. Only the group winners will progress to the main Group Stage.
The five winning teams will then join seven top-ranked clubs from the AFC Women’s Club Competition Ranking 2024/25. These elite clubs include Melbourne City FC (Australia), Suwon FC Women (South Korea), Tokyo Verdy Beleza (Japan), Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (China, defending champions), Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (Vietnam), Bam Khatoon FC (Iran), and a still-to-be-named team from the United Arab Emirates. Together, they will form a 12-team lineup for the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage, set to begin in November 2025 after a draw in September.
Teams Grouped for AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage:
Group A features Stallion Laguna FC (Philippines), ISPE WFC (Myanmar, hosts), Strykers FC (Guam), and Khovd Western FC (Mongolia).
Group B includes College of Asian Scholars (Thailand), PFC Nasaf (Uzbekistan, hosts), APF FC (Nepal), and Al Nassr Club (Saudi Arabia).
Group C brings together Kelana United FC (Malaysia, hosts), Etihad Club (Jordan), Lion City Sailors FC (Singapore), and SDYUSHOR SI – Asiagoal (Kyrgyz Republic).
Group D includes Kaohsiung Attackers FC (Chinese Taipei), Naegohyang Women’s FC (DPR Korea), Master FC (Laos, hosts), and RTC FC (Bhutan).
Group E has East Bengal FC (India), Kitchee SC (Hong Kong), and Phnom Penh Crown FC (Cambodia, hosts) competing for a single qualification spot.
This year’s AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage promises intense matchups and rising stars. With clubs representing diverse football cultures, the tournament continues to push forward the development and visibility of women’s football in Asia. Fans can look forward to thrilling action as the journey to the Group Stage begins this August.
