Fans await Cristiano Ronaldo’s 'India debut' as FC Goa drawn with Al Nassr in AFC CL2
The possibility of Ronaldo's appearance in India is uncertain due to a clause in his contract exempting him from some away games.
The possibility of Ronaldo's appearance in India is uncertain due to a clause in his contract exempting him from some away games.
The possibility of Ronaldo's appearance in India is uncertain due to a clause in his contract exempting him from some away games.
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo could play in India, as Indian Super League side FC Goa has been drawn alongside his club, Al Nassr, in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2, Asia's second-tier club competition.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo is expected to feature when Al Nassr hosts FC Goa. However, his appearance in India during the away fixture remains uncertain as his contract with the Saudi club includes a clause exempting him from travelling for continental away games, according to reports.
The competition is set to begin on September 16 and will be played in a home and away format.
Along with Al Nassr and Goa, the group also features Al Zawraa SC of Iraq and FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. Al Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League, failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League but secured a spot in the second-tier competition.
FC Goa earned their place as 2025 Super Cup champions and semifinalists in the 2024–25 Indian Super League. Al Zawraa SC are the runners-up of the 2024–25 Iraq Stars League, while FC Istiklol enter as the 2024 champions of the Tajikistan Higher League. The draw for the tournament was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday.
Goa secured qualification by defeating Oman's Al Seeb Club 2-1 in a play-off match held in Margao on Wednesday. This will be their second appearance in continental football, following their historic 2021 AFC Champions League campaign- India's debut in the top-tier Asian club competition.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the ISL 2024-25 Shield Winners, were drawn in Group C alongside Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein SC of Jordan and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan. This will be Mohun Bagan SG's eighth appearance in Asia's second-tier club competition, previously called the AFC Cup.
Thirty-two teams, 16 each in the West and the East Zone, have been divided into eight groups of four each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16.
The group stage will run from September 16 to December 24. The Round of 16 will take place between February 10 and 19, 2026. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are set for March 3-12 and April 7-15, respectively, with the final scheduled for May 16, 2026.