Preview - Group A: FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

The 2020-21 Saudi King's Cup champions become the ninth different side from Saudi Arabia to feature in the competition since 2002-03, following in the footsteps of Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Shabab, Al Ettifaq, Al Nassr, Al Fateh and Al Taawoun.

For Al Wehdat, the clash against the namesakes of their fierce Amman rivals marks the start of their second AFC Champions League campaign. Last year, they picked up one point from their first four matches, before a late resurgence saw them win the last two, but it was too little too late as they finished third in Group D and exited the competition.

Over the past three years, and in an effort to ensure continuity of Asia’s premier club competition despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the AFC held the 2020 edition in a centralised format in Qatar, with the cities of Doha and Al Wakrah hosting the games.

Last year, hosting rights for group stage matches were divided between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and India for the West, while Uzbekistan and Thailand hosted games in the East. Ahead of kick-off of the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com profiles the four host cities of West groups.