Indian Super League club FC Goa returned to Asia after four years when it booked its group stage spot in the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 group stage after beating Oman’s Al Seeb Club in the playoff match. The Gaurs were drawn in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC, and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol.
Sportstar takes a look at each of the opponent FC Goa will have to face in the AFC Champions League Two group stage.
Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
FILE PHOTO: Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Sadio Mane.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Sadio Mane.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
The biggest name in FC Goa’s group has to be Al Nassr which boasts names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix, to name a few.
The club has clinched three Saudi Pro League titles in the history of the competition. Most recently, it finished third behind Al Ittihad and Al Hilal last season in the league.
In continental tournaments, the club has won the Asian Super Cup and the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup once each. Both tournaments don’t exist now. Last season, Al Nassr reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Zawraa SC (Iraq)
Al Zawraa SC is the most successful club in Iraq, having won 14 top-flight titles. It also has 16 Iraq FA Cup titles to its name.
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Last season, it finished second in the Iraq Stars League, falling 10 points short of champion Al Shorta.
In Asia, the last time it played in the AFC Champions League Two was in the 2023-24 edition. It finished second in its group and didn’t make the knockout stage.
FC Istiklol (Tajikistan)
Despite being founded in 2007, FC Istiklol has already lifted the Tajikistan Top League 13 times.
In Asia too, the club has an envious record. It has participated in the AFC Champions League multiple times, with its best performance coming in the 2021 edition when it reached the Round of 16 stage.
In the AFC Cup, which now is the AFC Champions League Two, Istiklol ended as the runner-up in 2015 and 2017. Last season, it played in the AFC Champions League Two and had a winless group stage campaign.
