Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced that the draw for the group stage of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-2027 will be held next Thursday at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The draw is a significant event as it will determine the groupings for the 12 participating clubs in the upcoming tournament. According to Qatar News Agency, the list of 12 participating clubs was finalized following the conclusion of the preliminary stage last week, which saw a record number of clubs vying for a spot in the group stage. The teams will be divided into three groups of four and will compete in a single round-robin format at a centralized venue in November. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, making a total of eight teams competing in the next round. Six clubs have qualified directly for the group stage. These include defending champions Naegohyang of DPR Korea, as well as the five highest-ranked clubs: Melbour ne City, Hwacheon, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Beijing Jingtan, and Ho Chi Minh City. They will be joined by the six group winners from the preliminary stage, forming a competitive lineup for this year's tournament. Notably, five clubs will be making their debut in the AFC competition. These newcomers are Hwacheon, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Beijing Jingtan, April 25, and Ayeyawady. Their participation marks an exciting development in the tournament, showcasing a growing interest and investment in women's football across Asia. The draw for the knockout stage is scheduled to take place in December 2026. The quarter-finals, set for March, will be hosted by the four highest-ranked teams and will be played over a single leg. This new format is expected to intensify the competition as clubs vie for the prestigious title.