KUALA LUMPUR: The AFC Champions League 2022™ West Group stage centralised matches will be held in Saudi Arabia from April 7 to 27.

Four-time champions Al Hilal SFC will begin their title defence in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, where the 17-time Saudi Pro League winners will face Group A contenders Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol, Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC as well as the winners of the Playoff Stage match between Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates and Iraqi side Al Zawraa Club.

Similarly, Riyadh will also be the host city for the matches in Group B, featuring this year’s debutants Mumbai City from India, UAE’s Al Jazira, Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab and three-time AFC Cup winners Air Force Club of Iraq.

Group C, which will be headlined by Iranian side Foolad Khouzestan FC and 2015 finalists Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Qatar’s Al Gharafa and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan – the first ever Turkmen representative in the AFC Champions League Group Stage – will be held in Jeddah.

Meanwhile, just northwest of Riyadh, Buraidah will provide the stage for Group D, which includes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan FC, who reached the final of the 2007 edition, Qatar’s Al Duhail SC, two-time Semi-finalists Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and the winners of the Playoff Stage tie between Al Taawoun FC from Saudi Arabia and Syrian side Al Jaish.

Finally, Group E will be held in Dammam, where 2011 champions Al Sadd from Qatar will face off against Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly FC, who will feature in their maiden campaign, Jordan’s Al Wehdat and the winners of the Playoff Stage match between Baniyas of the UAE and FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan.

All this is subject to formal ratification by the executive committee.