Indian football is set for a blockbuster few months as FC Goa has been drawn to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two. The draw also places the Indian Super Cup champions alongside Iraq’s Al-Zawraa and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol, setting up a challenging yet exciting campaign for the Goan side.
Goa secured their spot in the competition after clinching the Kalinga Super Cup title earlier this year and then defeating Oman’s Al-Seeb 2–1 in the playoff round. With that win, they became the only Indian team in the tournament, and now they face some of Asia’s biggest names.
Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian giants, boast a star-studded squad led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether the Portuguese legend will travel to India for the away fixture remains uncertain, but even the possibility has fans buzzing. The match could mark one of the most high-profile football events on Indian soil in recent years.
Group B:
Iraq’s Al-Zawraa brings a wealth of continental experience and a reputation for physical, disciplined football, while FC Istiklol from Tajikistan has been a regular in Asia’s top competitions, making them a dangerous opponent at home.
The group stage kicks off in mid-September and will run through December, with Goa’s home matches expected to draw huge crowds at the Fatorda Stadium. The club, led by coach Manolo Márquez, will need to balance their domestic ISL commitments with long-distance continental travel — a test of depth, discipline, and strategy.
For fans, this draw is more than just a fixture list. It’s a rare chance to see Indian club football compete against the very best in Asia, possibly with one of the sport’s greatest-ever players stepping onto an Indian pitch.
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