Hanoi, 14 August 2026 – Hanoi Police FC (Cong An Ha Noi FC / CAHN) already know five of the teams they are guaranteed to face in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 League Stage, even before the official draw determines their complete schedule.
The competition features 32 clubs, divided equally between the East and West regions, with 16 teams in each. During the League Stage, every club will face eight different opponents across eight matches. The top eight teams in each regional standings will then qualify for the knockout stage.
The League Stage draw and fixture allocation will take place on August 18. In the East Region, where Hanoi Police FC will compete, the 16 participating clubs have been divided into four seeding pots.
As the reigning V.League champions, CAHN have been placed in Pot 4. Under the draw format, they will face two opponents from each of Pots 1, 2, 3 and 4, giving them eight matches in total – four at home and four away – with the fixture allocation determined by computer.
One crucial rule is that clubs from the same national association cannot face each other during the League Stage.
This restriction creates an unusual situation involving the Japanese clubs. Pot 4 contains two Japanese representatives, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka. As a result, the other Japanese teams placed in Pots 1, 2 and 3 – Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe and Kashiwa Reysol – cannot be drawn against either Kyoto or Gamba.
Furthermore, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka cannot face each other because they represent the same country. Their only possible opponents from Pot 4 are therefore Hanoi Police FC of Vietnam and Ratchaburi of Thailand.
Based on these draw restrictions, CAHN are guaranteed to face all five Japanese clubs in the East Region: Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka.
The August 18 draw will therefore determine CAHN’s remaining three opponents, as well as which of their eight League Stage matches will be played at home and which will take place away.
For Hanoi Police FC, the prospect of facing five Japanese sides promises a demanding introduction to the AFC Champions League Elite, as the Vietnamese champions prepare to test themselves against some of the strongest clubs in Asian football.
VSN/RPT
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