2026/2027 ACL 2 Draw: Persib Could Be Placed in the Same Group Alongside Clubs from South Korea, Japan, and Australia

The AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) 2026/2027 group stage draw is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, 18 January 2026. A total of 32 teams are preparing to learn their opponents for this Asian inter-club competition.

One final participant is still unconfirmed, as the last remaining East Zone slot will be contested between Indonesia's representative Persib Bandung and Filipino club Manila Digger.

The two sides will only face each other in a play-off match at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium (GBLA), Bandung on 31 August 2026. The winner will qualify for the ACL 2 group phase, while the defeated team will be relegated to the AFC Challenge League.

Persib Eligible For Pot 4 Placement

Currently 31 teams have already secured their place in the 2026/2027 ACL 2 group stage. 16 clubs originate from the West Zone, while the other 16 teams belong to the East Zone.

Should Persib beat Manila Digger, the Maung Bandung squad will be placed in East Zone Pot 4. With this seeding, Persib will be drawn against one team each from Pot 1, Pot 2 and Pot 3.

Persib will share Pot 4 alongside Tampines Rovers from Singapore, Tai Po from Hong Kong, and Phnom Penh Crown from Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the final open slot for Pot 4 is currently listed as Persib/Manila Digger, pending the result of the 31 August match.

East Zone Pot Allocation ACL 2 2026/2027

Pot 1 is filled by well-established top clubs in the region: Gangwon FC and FC Seoul from South Korea, Adelaide United from Australia, and Machida Zelvia from Japan.

Pot 2 also features notable sides with the presence of BG Pathum United from Thailand, Shanghai Shenhua from China, Melbourne Victory from Australia, and Kuching City from Malaysia.

While Pot 3 consists of The Cong-Viettel from Vietnam, Lion City Sailors from Singapore, Kitchee from Hong Kong, and PKR Svay Rieng from Cambodia.

As for Pot 4, this seeding group is occupied by Tampines Rovers, Tai Po, Phnom Penh Crown, and either Persib Bandung or Manila Digger.

Pot 1
Gangwon FC (South Korea)
Adelaide United (Australia)
Machida Zelvia (Japan)
FC Seoul (South Korea)

Pot 2
BG Pathum United (Thailand)
Shanghai Shenhua (China)
Melbourne Victory (Australia)
Kuching City (Malaysia)

Pot 3
The Cong-Viettel (Vietnam)
Lion City Sailors (Singapore)
Kitchee (Hong Kong)
PKR Svay Rieng (Cambodia)

Pot 4
Tampines Rovers (Singapore)
Tai Po (Hong Kong)
Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia)
Persib Bandung / Manila Digger