AWCL: Our Group Stage opponents are confirmed!

Our City Women are heading back to Asia.

Following Thursday evening’s AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage draw in Kuala Lumpur, City has been drawn into Group C and will travel to Uzbekistan to begin our 2026/27 continental campaign.

After previous Group Stage trips to Thailand and Vietnam, a new destination now awaits, with Group C to be hosted in Qarshi, Uzbekistan.

City will face PFC Nasaf, Kaya FC-Iloilo and Beijing Jingtan FC across three fixtures in early November as Michael Matricciani’s side looks to continue our proud record in the competition.

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This will mark our third consecutive AFC Women’s Champions League campaign, following a runners-up finish in 2024/25 and a run to the Semi Finals last season.

And there’ll be no shortage of familiar storylines when we get there.

Nasaf rematch first up

City’s Group Stage campaign will begin on Sunday 1 November against host club PFC Nasaf.

The Uzbekistani side is no stranger to City fans, having visited the Home of the Matildas earlier this year for a dramatic Quarter Final clash.

On that occasion, City progressed with a memorable 2-1 win thanks to Chinaza Uchendu’s 90th-minute winner, booking our place in the Semi Finals and continuing another history-making continental run.

This time, the rematch will take place much closer to home for Nasaf, with the hosts set to provide a tough opening test in familiar surroundings.

Familiar faces and a new challenge

Our second fixture will see City take on Kaya FC-Iloilo on Wednesday 4 November.

The Filipino side is another opponent we’ve seen before in this competition, with City recording a strong 4-0 win when the two sides met during the 2024/25 Group Stage.

A new challenge then awaits in our final Group C fixture on Saturday 7 November, with Chinese Women’s Super League champions Beijing Jingtan rounding out the group.

It shapes as another fascinating continental test, with three very different opponents standing between City and a place in the knockout stages.

Another deep run in sight

The equation is simple: finish in the top two and progression to the Quarter Finals is secured, while the two best third-placed teams across the Group Stage will also advance.

Having gone all the way to the Final in our first campaign before returning to the final four last season, City will again have sights set on making a serious push in Asia.

Before attention turns fully to the AFC Women’s Champions League, there’s domestic football to come first.

As was the case last season, City will play two Ninja A-League fixtures before departing for the Group Stage, beginning our Premiership and Championship defence away to Wellington Phoenix before travelling to face Sydney FC.

Full AFC Women’s Champions League fixture details, including venues and kick-off times, will be confirmed in the coming days.