The picture will be complete following February’s Playoffs and the final of the Emperor’s Cup on January 1, when Japan’s Knockout Cup winner will be known.

It is worth to mention that if Nasaf wins play-off stage, it should be placed to Group B along with Bunyodkor. To avoid two teams from one country in the group, Nasaf will be replaced by other winner of the play off-stage.

If two Uzbek teams win qualification round, Qatar’s Al Rayyan will be moved from Group A to Group B.

WEST

GROUP A
A1. Esteghlal (IRN)
A2. Al Rayyan (QAT)
A3. Al Jazira (UAE)
A4. Al Shabab (KSA)

GROUP B
B1. Al Fateh (KSA)
B2. Foolad Khouzestan (IRN)
B3. Winner of Playoff 3.1 (West)
B4. Bunyodkor (UZB)

GROUP C
C1. Al Ain (UAE)
C2. Al Ittihad (KSA)
C3. Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN)
C4. Winner of Playoff 3.2 (West)

GROUP D
D1. Al Sadd (QAT)
D2. Al Ahli (UAE)
D3. Al Hilal (KSA)
D4. Sepahan (IRN)

EAST

GROUP E
E1. Pohang Steelers (KOR)
E2. Buriram United (THA)
E3. Shandong Luneng Taishan (CHN)
E4. League 3rd place (JPN)

GROUP F F1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)
F2. Central Coast Mariners (AUS)
F3. FC Seoul (KOR)
F4. Winner of Playoff 3.1 (East)

GROUP G
G1. Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
G2. Knockout Champion (JPN)
G3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
G4. Winner of Playoff 3.2 (East)

GROUP H
H1. Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
H2. Guizhou Renhe (CHN)
H3. League Runner-up (JPN)
H4. Ulsan Hyundai (KOR)