Persib will enter a Group of Death if they qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 group stage, with FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory awaiting them.

Persib Bandung have not yet secured their place in the 2026/2027 AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) group stage. However, should they successfully advance through the play-off round, the side nicknamed Maung Bandung already know the three opponents that will await them. The 2026/2027 ACL 2 group stage draw, held at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday 18 August 2026, allocated the winner of the upcoming Persib Bandung vs Manila Digger fixture into Group E.

If Persib eliminate the Philippine representative, Maung Bandung will be grouped together with FC Seoul (South Korea), Melbourne Victory (Australia), and The Cong-Viettel (Vietnam).

This composition immediately marks this as a potentially very tough group for Persib, especially given that both FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory hold extensive experience competing at the top level of Asian club football.

Persib will play their decisive qualification match against Manila Digger on Monday 31 August at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium. The winner of this tie will automatically qualify for the 2026/2027 ACL 2 group stage.

FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory Are The Primary Threats

Group E is set to be one of the most challenging pools in the East Region. FC Seoul carries an elite reputation within South Korean football. The club has claimed 6 K League titles, and finished as AFC Champions League runners-up on two occasions: during the 2001/2002 and 2013 seasons.

Melbourne Victory meanwhile ranks as one of Australia's most successful clubs, with 7 A-League championships to their name and a long history of participation in continental Asian competitions.

The presence of these two established sides will present a serious challenge for Persib head coach Igor Tolic, should Maung Bandung successfully reach the group phase.

The Cong-Viettel Cannot Be Written Off

The remaining confirmed side in Group E is Vietnam's The Cong-Viettel. While the club does not hold the same global profile as FC Seoul or Melbourne Victory, this Vietnamese side still carries proven regional competition experience.

The Cong-Viettel previously reached the ASEAN Zone semi-finals of the 2022 AFF Cup, before being knocked out by Kuala Lumpur City.

The Vietnamese club's characteristic disciplined tactical structure and high match intensity will also provide a unique test for Persib.

Persib Must First Overcome Manila Digger

Before they can contemplate facing FC Seoul, Melbourne Victory or The Cong-Viettel, Persib must first focus fully on securing qualification against Manila Digger.

This match will take place at GBLA on 31 August. While home ground advantage works in Persib's favour, progression will still have to be earned on the pitch.

Notably, the draw allocated an open slot for the undecided Persib Bandung / Manila Digger play-off winner into Group E, as the result of the qualification fixture was not yet confirmed when the draw was conducted.

Should Manila Digger secure victory, the Philippine side will take the allocated Group E position. If Persib successfully win the tie however, they will return to the group stage of top tier Asian club competition.

Full 2026/2027 ACL 2 Group Stage Draw Results

West Region
Group A: Al Wahda, Nasaf, Kuwait SC, Al Khaldiya
Group B: Al Jazira, Golgohar Sirjan, Muharraq, Arkadag
Group C: Al Taawoun, Al Rayyan, Al Faisaly, Al Nahda
Group D: Al Hussein, Al Shorta, Al Seeb, East Bengal

East Region
Group E: FC Seoul, Melbourne Victory, The Cong-Viettel, Persib Bandung / Manila Digger
Group F: Adelaide United, BG Pathum United, Lion City Sailors, Tai Po
Group G: Machida Zelvia, Shanghai Shenhua, PKR Svay Rieng, Tampines Rovers
Group H: Gangwon, Kuching City, Kitchee, Phnom Penh Crown