OFFICIAL: The Cong - Viettel falls into a tough group in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two

The draw put The Cong - Viettel into Group E of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two, where the Vietnamese side will take on FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory.

On the afternoon of August 18, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the draw for the group stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the official results, The Cong - Viettel is in Group E of the East Asia region alongside FC Seoul, Melbourne Victory, and the winner of the play-off between Persib Bandung and Manila Digger.

This is considered a difficult group for the Vietnamese representative because FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory both come from leading football nations in the continent. Meanwhile, Persib Bandung could also become a formidable opponent if they get past Manila Digger in the play-off round.

FC Seoul is a traditional name in Korean football with extensive experience in Asian competitions. The Seoul-based club qualified for the tournament after finishing sixth in the 2025 K League 1. Although they did not have a very high ranking in the domestic league, the quality of their players, physical foundation, and ball-playing speed still pose a major challenge for The Cong - Viettel.

Melbourne Victory is also not an easy opponent. The Australian representative is known for their powerful style of play, strong tackling, and aerial abilities. Having to travel a long distance to Australia could also affect the physical preparation of coach Velizar Popov's squad.

The final spot in Group E will go to the winner of the play-off between Persib Bandung and Manila Digger, scheduled for August 31. In terms of experience and squad quality, Persib is rated higher. The Indonesian club boasts a large fan base and a particularly passionate home advantage.

The Cong - Viettel is participating in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two as the runner-up of the 2025/26 V.League. The army team secured a spot in the continental competition after defeating champions Cong An Ha Noi 1-0 in the final round, thereby finishing the season in second place.

To prepare for the new season, The Cong - Viettel has strengthened their squad with several foreign players while retaining a core of many national team members. The Vietnamese representative is expected to leverage their strengths in defensive organization, discipline, and make the most of their home matches.

According to the AFC regulations Champions League Two 2026/27, 32 teams are divided into eight groups across two regions: East and West Asia. The teams play a double round-robin home-and-away format, with the top two from each group advancing to the round of 16. The group stage is scheduled to start on September 15, 2026.

Group E draw results:

• FC Seoul (South Korea)
• Melbourne Victory (Australia)
• The Cong - Viettel (Vietnam)
• Winner of Persib Bandung vs Manila Digger