Four-time Continental club champion Al-Hilal SFC will begin their title defense in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, where the 17-time Saudi Pro League winner will face Group A contenders Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol, Qatar’s Al-Rayyan SC as well as the winner of the Playoff Stage match between Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates and Iraqi side Al-Zawraa Club.

Similarly, Riyadh will also be the host city for the matches in Group B, featuring this year’s debutant Mumbai City from India, UAE’s Al-Jazira, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab and three-time AFC Cup winner Air Force Club of Iraq.

Group C, which will be headlined by Iranian side Foolad FC and 2015 finalists Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Qatar’s Al-Gharafa and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan – the first ever Turkmen representative in the AFC Champions League Group Stage – will be held in Jeddah.

Meanwhile, just northwest of Riyadh, Buraidah will provide the stage for Group D, which includes Iran’s Sepahan FC, who reached the final of the 2007 edition, Qatar’s Al-Duhail SC, two-time Semi-finalists Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and the winner of the Playoff Stage tie between Al-Taawoun FC from Saudi Arabia and Syrian side Al-Jaish.

The single round Knockout Stage matches for the AFC Champions League 2022 (West) will be held from February 3 to 10, 2023, with the Round of 16 scheduled for February 3 and 4, before the Quarter-finals are held on February 7 and the Semi-finals taking place on February 10, with the coveted Final to be staged over two legs on February 19 and 26, 2023.