Iranian clubs Esteghlal and Tractor have been assigned neutral venues for their upcoming Asian Champions League Elite matches against teams from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The decision follows the group stage draw held on Tuesday for the Asian Football Confederation’s premier tournament, which is scheduled to commence on September 14.
The two Iranian sides are set to compete against UAE clubs Al Ain, Al Wasl, and Shabab Al-Ahli, as well as Qatari representatives Al Gharafa, Al Sadd, and Al Shamal. Notably, both Esteghlal and Tractor avoided the high-profile Saudi Arabian contingent in the draw. Regional stability remains a concern following the outbreak of conflict in February, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. In response, Iran has targeted locations in Qatar and the UAE, alleging these nations permitted the use of their territory for US military strikes. Tensions were further strained on Sunday when Iran accused Qatar of detaining three Iranian pilots who had been missing since March, an allegation that Doha has officially denied.
The tournament structure features two regional zones, each consisting of 16 teams. The western zone includes five Saudi Arabian clubs, among them Al-Ahli, which is pursuing a third consecutive title despite the recent departure of coach Matthias Jaissle to Newcastle United. Other notable Saudi contenders include Al-Hilal, aiming for a fifth championship, and Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo following their Saudi Pro League victory in May.
In the eastern zone, the field includes former champions such as Gamba Osaka, which secured the title in 2008, along with South Korean powerhouses Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers, who are seeking their third and fourth crowns, respectively. While Japanese clubs reached the finals in the previous two seasons, neither Kawasaki Frontale nor Machida Zelvia qualified for this year’s competition.
The top eight teams from each group will progress to the round of 16. The tournament will shift to a centralized format from the quarterfinals onward, with all subsequent matches hosted in Saudi Arabia. The final is scheduled to take place on May 1. Domestically, the Iranian league, which was suspended in February due to the conflict, resumed last weekend under capacity restrictions and, in some instances, behind closed doors. The report also notes that iran’s neighbours have implored Tehran to stop firing at them.
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