Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2026 – The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 group-stage draw concluded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the afternoon of August 18, confirming the path ahead for Vietnamese representatives The Cong Viettel in continental competition.
The V.League side were drawn into Group E, where they will face formidable opposition from South Korea, Australia and another Southeast Asian team.
The Cong Viettel will take on FC Seoul, Melbourne Victory, and the winner of the playoff between Persib Bandung and Manila Digger. With all three potential opponents bringing considerable quality and international experience, the group promises to be highly competitive.
South Korea’s FC Seoul are one of the country’s most established clubs and have significant experience competing on the continental stage. Melbourne Victory, meanwhile, are among Australia’s best-known teams and are no strangers to Asian club competitions.
The identity of the fourth team will be decided by the playoff between Persib Bandung and Manila Digger. Should Persib Bandung advance, the Indonesian club could pose another difficult challenge for The Cong Viettel, particularly given their familiarity with Southeast Asian football and physically demanding style of play.
The Cong Viettel Strengthen for Asian Challenge
The Cong Viettel qualified for the competition after finishing runners-up in the 2025/26 V.League and have been strengthening their squad ahead of a demanding new season.
The club have recruited several quality foreign players during the transfer window while retaining a strong core featuring a number of Vietnam internationals. The strategy is designed to provide greater squad depth as the team prepares to compete on both domestic and continental fronts.
The additional reinforcements could prove crucial, with The Cong Viettel facing a demanding schedule against opponents with considerable experience at international level.
The AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 group stage is scheduled to run from September 15 to December 9, 2026.
Each team will face the other three clubs home and away, playing six matches in total. At the end of the group stage, the top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.
For The Cong Viettel, Group E represents a significant challenge but also an opportunity to demonstrate their competitiveness beyond Vietnam, with clashes against FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory set to provide major tests of the club’s continental ambitions.
VSN/RPT
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