The Iran champions were drawn with Thailand’s GH Bank RBAC, Uzbekistan outfit Ardus and Lebanon’s Al Sadaka in the eight-team tournament to be played in the Qatari capital from June 26 to July 1.
Iran’s Foolad Mahan Sepahan won the inaugural edition of the championship by beating Qatar’s Al Sadd 5-2 in the final.
Hosts Qatar’s Al Rayyan were placed in Group A alongside Japan’s Nagoya Oceans, Chinese side Zhejiang Dragon Futsal Club and the winner of playoff between Al Karkh Sport Club (Iraq) and Harimau Rawa (Indonesia). The playoff will be played in Doha on June 22.
Top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals to be played on June 30 while the third-place match and the final will be played on July 1.
THE GROUPINGS
GROUP A
Al Rayyan Sports Club (Qatar)
Nagoya Oceans (Japan)
Zhejiang Dragon Futsal Club (China)
Playoff Winner
GROUP B
Shahid Mansouri FC (Iran)
GH Bank RBAC (Thailand)
Al Sadaka (Lebanon)
Ardus (Uzbekistan)