Muharraq, Khaldiya set for ACL Two openers

Bahraini giants launch Asian campaigns tomorrow night

Bahrain’s Muharraq and Al Khaldiya are putting the finishing touches on preparations for their 2025-26 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two campaigns, which kick off tomorrow. Both clubs will play their opening fixtures on Wednesday night.

The ACL Two is Asia’s second-tier club competition, newly reformatted beneath the AFC Champions League Elite and above the AFC Challenge League. It features 32 teams from 22 associations in a home-and-away group stage.

Muharraq debut in new format

Muharraq return to continental action as Bahrain Premier League champions. The record Bahraini side, twice winners of the competition in its former guise as the AFC Cup (2008 and 2021), now line up in Group A alongside Al Wehdat of Jordan, Al Wasl of the UAE, and Esteghlal of Iran.

They open against Wehdat at home on Wednesday at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad, with kick-off at 9:15pm.

Khaldiya face stern test in Doha

King’s Cup holders Khaldiya take part in ACL Two for a second straight season. They are drawn in Group B with Qatar’s Al Ahli, Uzbekistan’s PFC Andijon, and FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan.

Their campaign begins against Al Ahli on Wednesday at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, with play starting at 7pm Bahrain time.

Wide field of challengers

Both Bahraini clubs compete in the West Asia region, which also includes the likes of Sepahan (Iran), Mohun Bagan (India), and Saudi giants Al Nassr. Groups E to H cover East Asia, with teams from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and beyond.

The group stage runs until December 24, followed by the knockouts in early 2026 and the final on May 16.