Iranian clubs drawn with Qatar and UAE rivals at neutral sites in Asian Champions League

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Iranian football clubs have been matched against opponents from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite, despite ongoing tensions in the region. The season kicks off on September 14, with the games involving Iranian teams to be hosted in neutral locations.

Esteghlal Tehran and Tractor Tabriz will take on UAE clubs Al Ain, Al Wasl, and Shabab Al Ahli, as well as Qatari teams Al Gharafa, Al Sadd, and Al Shamal. Esteghlal and Tractor managed to avoid the formidable Saudi Arabian squad. Following the U.S.-led strikes on Iran in February, Tehran has retaliated by targeting Qatar and the UAE, asserting that it is in response to the deployment of American military bases for such attacks.

Iran's neighbors have urged Tehran to cease its hostilities. Iran's national league was temporarily halted in February due to the escalations but resumed last weekend with limited attendance. The AFC Elite comprises two 16-team zones. Saudi Arabia dominates the West with five teams, including Jeddah’s Al-Ahli, which is pursuing its first back-to-back Champions League titles.

Coached by Matthias Jaissle, who recently moved to Newcastle in the English Premier League, Al-Hilal seeks its fifth title, while Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr back into the competition after clinching the Saudi Pro League in May. Japan's teams have reached the final twice before, with Kawasaki Frontale and Machida Zelvia both losing to Al-Ahli, though neither has qualified for this year's tournament.

Gamba Osaka won the championship in 2008, and South Korea also fields two former champions: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, chasing a third title, and Pohang Steelers, targeting their fourth. The top eight from each group move on to the round of 16, with all subsequent matches taking place in Saudi Arabia, culminating in the final on May 1.