The Quarter-Final Cast: Eight Contenders Remain
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) is carving out its own legacy. This second-tier tournament has just wrapped up its Round of 16 as of February 19, 2026, and the drama was arguably even higher than the top flight. If the Elite is about the established giants, ACL Two is where the "New Guard" of Asian football is making its name.
After a series of grueling two-legged ties, the regional brackets have been narrowed down. Unlike the Elite, which moves to a centralized venue in April, the ACL Two will continue its Home & Away format through the Quarter-finals and Semi-finals.
The West Region: A Gulf Powerhouse Showcase
The West bracket has become a battlefield for Saudi, Qatari, and UAE pride:
Al Nassr (KSA): The heavy favorites. Led by their star-studded squad, they cruised past Turkmenistan's FK Arkadag and look unstoppable.
Al Wasl (UAE): They survived a legendary 6-5 aggregate thriller against Iraq’s Al Zawraa, proving they have the heart of a champion.
Al Ahli (QAT): They needed extra time to dispatch Iran’s Sepahan, showing the grit required to go all the way.
Al Hussein (JOR): The Jordanian champions are the "giant killers" of the tournament, having dominated Esteghlal to secure their spot.
The East Region: ASEAN vs. Japan
The East side features a fascinating clash between the tactical discipline of Japan and the explosive growth of Southeast Asian football:
Gamba Osaka (JPN): Carrying the torch for the J-League, they overcame a tough Pohang Steelers side.
Bangkok United (THA): Currently the pride of Thailand, they cruised past Australia's Macarthur FC.
Tampines Rovers (SGP): The Singaporean side is the tournament's biggest surprise, dismantling Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi 6-1 on aggregate.
Ratchaburi FC (THA): Making it two Thai teams in the final eight, they outclassed Indonesia's Persib Bandung.
The ASEAN region has made a massive statement in the inaugural 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two, proving that the tactical gap in Asian football is rapidly closing.
As of late February 2026, the Round of 16 has concluded, and the results are historic: three ASEAN clubs have secured their places in the Quarter-finals. This means nearly half of the final eight teams in the East Region come from Southeast Asia.