VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn attends AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 draws
On 18 August, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn, in his capacity as an AFC Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the AFC Competitions Committee, attended the official draws for the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 and AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 – the two most prestigious club competitions in Asian football.
VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn (centre) attends the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 draws
The event marks the official start of the 2026/27 season for the leading clubs across Asia. Notably, Vietnamese football has two representatives competing in these two continental competitions: Công An Hà Nội FC in the AFC Champions League Elite and Thể Công Viettel FC in the AFC Champions League Two.
In the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27, Công An Hà Nội FC secured a place in the League Stage after a 2-0 victory over Adelaide United (Australia) in the play-off round. Goals from Henen and Koko saw the Vietnamese side overcome their Australian opponents and qualify for the first time for the highest level of Asian club football.
Công An Hà Nội’s participation has also been highlighted by the AFC as one of the notable features of the new season. Alongside Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah, the Vietnamese club will make its debut in the AFC Champions League Elite.
VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn and representatives of Công An Hà Nội FC at the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 draw ceremony
VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn and representatives of Thể Công Viettel FC at the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 draw ceremony
The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 has been expanded to 32 teams, up from 24 teams in the previous season, with 16 teams each from the East and West regions. The League Stage is scheduled to run from 14 September 2026 to 17 February 2027. The Round of 16 will take place in March 2027, followed by the Finals in Saudi Arabia from 23 April to 1 May 2027.
Công An Hà Nội will have the opportunity to face some of the continent’s leading clubs, including several former Asian champions such as Al Ain (UAE), Al Hilal and Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Al Sadd (Qatar), Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers (Japan), as well as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers (South Korea). Notably, Al Ahli Saudi FC are aiming to become the first club in the competition’s history to win the title three consecutive times.
Meanwhile, Thể Công Viettel FC will represent Vietnam in the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27. This will be the third edition of the AFC Champions League Two under its current format, featuring 32 teams evenly divided between the East and West regions. The group stage is scheduled to begin on 15 September 2026, with teams playing home-and-away matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16.
The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 features a number of well-established clubs in Asian football, including former champions Al Faisaly (Jordan), Al Muharraq (Bahrain), Al Seeb (Oman), Kuwait SC and PFC Nasaf (Uzbekistan). Gol Gohar Sirjan (Iran) and Kuching City (Malaysia) will make their debut in the competition. The final is scheduled for 15 May 2027 and will be hosted at the home venue of the East region representative that qualifies for the final.
