In a major boost to football in India, Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal have been grouped alongside Mumbai City FC in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League. The defending champions have some of the biggest names in world football, including former European stars like Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Yassine Bounou.
This is, however, not the first time the most expensive footballer will be travelling to the country. The Brazilian came to India in December 2022, when he played in the Red Bull Neymar Jrโs Five World Final in Goa. He met with fans and participated in many promotional activities during his stay.
The two-time Mumbai City FC is set to compete in Group D with teams including the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal FC, as well as FC Nassaji Mazandaran from Iran, and Uzbekistan's PFC Navbahor Namangan.
One of the most decorated players in the history of Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal are four-time champions of the AFC Champions League.
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The Islanders found themselves in the third pot of the West Zone's four pots. Teams for the AFC Champions League were formed by drawing one team from each pot into a group.
Under the guidance of Des Buckingham, Mumbai City FC, the victors of the ISL Shield, secured their spot in the AFC Champions League after a play-off victory against Jamshedpur FC.
This Saudi Arabian powerhouse is not just a four-time AFC Champions League champion, but they've also made waves with the recent acquisition of Neymar.
This season, the remaining Group D teams - FC Nassaji Mazandaran and PFC Navbahor Namangan - are gearing up for their inaugural stint in the AFC Champions League.
However, for Mumbai City FC, this isn't their first rodeo. They're marking their second journey in this prestigious tournament, having previously landed the second spot in Group B, falling behind Saudi Arabia's Al-Shabab. They narrowly missed the knockout stages in that edition, falling short by just two points, as only the top three second-placed teams moved forward in the contest.
AFC Champions League Group Stage
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Group A: Al-Faiha FC, Pakhtakor, Ahla FC, Al Ain FC
Group B: Al-Saad, Nasaf, Al-Faisaly, Sharjah FC
Group C: Al-Ittihad, Sepahan SC, Air Force Club, AGMK FC
Group D: Al-Hilal, FC Nassaji Mazandaran, Mumbai City FC, PFC Navbahor Namangan
Group E: Persepolis, Al-Duhail, Istiklol, Al-Nassr
Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Bangkok United, Lion City Sailors, Kitchee
Group G: Terengganu FC, Bali United, Stallion Laguna, Central Coast Mariners
Group H: Haiphong FC, Hougang United, Sabah FC, PSM Makassar
Group I: CPK, Tainan City, FC Ulaanbaatar, Taichung Futuro
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