The much-awaited draw of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage is upon us with a total of 40 sides slated to be put into 10 groups, which will again have five teams each from East and West Zones respectively. The premier Asian football club competition is scheduled to begin later this year, in the month of September. Groups A to E will have teams from the West Region, the likes of which include Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Neymar's Al-Hilal among others. The remainder of the groups (E to J) will comprise teams of East Region. Al-Nassr 4–2 Shabab Al-Ahli: Anderson Talisca Scores Twice As Cristiano Ronaldo’s Side Qualify for AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage (Watch Goal Video Highlights).

Notably, India's Mumbai City FC will also be part of the West Zone, being part of Pot 3 of the draw. As a matter of fact, Indian fans would be eagerly waiting for the draw to take place as they would want Mumbai City FC to be clubbed alongside either Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, or Al-Ittihad in the group stage, which would make the top stars come to India. However, with only one team per country being drawn into a group, it opens up room for only one Saudi Pro League side to be drawn alongside Mumbai City. Des Buckingham's side had become the first Indian club to register a win in the competition last year when the Islanders had beaten Iraq's Air Force Club 2-1. AFC Champions League 2023–24: Mumbai City FC To Play Home Games in Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.

Take a look at the Pots:

West Region

Pot 1: Al Ittihad (KSA), Persepolis FC (IRN), Al Sadd SC (QAT), Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Pot 2: Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Duhail SC (QAT), FC Nasaf (UZB), Al Fayha FC (KSA), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN)

Pot 3: Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), Ahal FC (TKM), Mumbai City FC (IND)

Pot 4: Al Ain FC (UAE), Al Nassr (KSA), Sharjah FC (UAE), AGMK FC (UZB), Navbahor (UZB)

East Region

Pot 1: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR), Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN), Buriram United (THA), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Pot 2: Ventforet Kofu (JPN), Shandong Taishan FC (CHN), Bangkok United (THA), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Pot 3: Hanoi FC (VIE), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), Melbourne City FC (AUS), Lion City Sailors (SGP)

Pot 4: Kitchee SC (HKG), Incheon United FC (KOR), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Zhejiang FC (CHN), BG Pathum United (THA)

When is AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Draw? Know Date, Venue and Time

The AFC Champions League 2023-24Group Stage will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, August 24. The Group Stage  Draw ceremony will begin at 1:30 pm IST (Indian Standard Time).

How to Watch Live Telecast of AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage   Draw?

Unfortunately, there would be no live telecast of the event with there being no official broadcast partner. Hence, fans in India cannot watch live telecast of the draw ceremony on their TV sets. For details on how to watch live streaming, one can scroll below.

Where to Get Free Live Streaming Online of AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Draw?

However, fans can surely enjoy live streaming of the event online. The AFC Champions League 2023-24 official YouTube channel will provide live streaming of the draw ceremony for the fans to enjoy and figure out which teams are their favourite sides will play against in the group stage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2023 10:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).