2022 ACL: Foolad, Sepahan Discover Opponents

Foolad has been drawn in Group C along with Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE, Ahal-FC of Turkmenistan and Qatar’s Al-Gharafa.

Sepahan also is in Group D with Qatar’s Al-Duhail, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and play-off winner.

Defending champion Al-Hilal was drawn against Tajikistan's Istiklol, which scored a shock victory against the Saudi giant last year.

The two-legged final of this year’s 40-team tournament has been moved to 2023 to allow the region’s national sides to prepare for the Qatar FIFA World Cup, which is being played in winter months.

The west zone knockout-stage matches will also take place in February 2023, while those for the east zone will wrap up in August this year.

Groups:

Group A: Al-Hilal (KSA), Istiklol (TJK), Al-Rayyan (QAT), play-off winner

Group B: Al-Jazira (UAE), Al-Shabab (KSA), Mumbai City (IND), Air Force Club (IRQ)

Group C: Foolad Khouzestan (IRN), Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE), Ahal-FC (TKM), Al-Gharafa (QAT)

Group D: Al-Duhail (QAT), Sepahan FC (IRN), Pakhtakor (UZB), play-off winner

Group E: Al-Sadd (QAT), Al-Faisaly (KSA), Al-Wehdat (JOR), play-off winner

Group F: Shandong Taishan (CHN), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Lion City Sailors (SIN), play-off winner

Group G: BG Pathum (THA), Jeonnam Dragons (KOR), United City (PHI), Melbourne City (AUS)

Group H: Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Hoang Anh Gia Lai (VIE), play-off winner

Group I: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Guangzhou FC (CHN), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), play-off winner

Group J: Shanghai Port (CHN), Chiangrai United (THA), Kitchee (HKG), play-off winner