Three time winner Japan will have Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and Tajikistan for company in Group B. Japan last won the tournament with back-to-back titles in 2012-2014 with their first being in 2006.

ASEAN powerhouse Thailand will face off against Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon and Jordan in Group D.

Thailand, who recently won the AFF Futsal Championship 2017, was runner-up in 2008 and 2012.

Vietnam, who finished fourth in Uzbekistan 2016, will face off against host Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and Bahrain in Group A.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-final. The first matches will be played on February 1, 2018, with the final set for February 11.

In the competition’s official draw held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Esteghlal has been handed a tough draw in the competition.

Also, Zob Ahan will have to play Indian Aizawl in Group B play-off.

Group A
Al Jazira (UAE)
Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
Tractor Sazi (IRN)
winner of Al-Gharafa of Qatar and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor

Group B
Al Duhail SC (QAT)
Al Wahda (UAE)
PFC Lokomotiv (UZB)
Winner of Iran’s Zob Ahan and Indian Aizawl

Group C
Persepolis FC (IRN)
Al Sadd SC (QAT)
Al Wasl (UAE)
Winner of Nasaf Qarshi from Uzbekistan and Al-Faisaly of Jordan

Group D
Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
Esteghlal FC (IRN)
Al Rayyan SC (QAT)
Winner of Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain’s Malkiya

The 2018 AFC Champions League will be the 37th edition of Asia’s premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 16th under the current AFC Champions League title.

“Iran has been drawn in a very difficult group because Portugal and Spain are among the best teams in Europe but Iran also is a good team and has good players,” Dalic said in an interview with Tasnim.

Asked whether there is a possibility that Iran could qualify for the next stage, Dalic said, “Why not. All groups are difficult. There is 32 teams in the World Cup and we have no easy opponent in the competition.”

“I know some Iranian teams because my teams played with them in the AFC Champions League and never lost to the Iranian teams,” the former Al Ain coach added.

Croatia has been drawn with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D.

“The Nigerians is an unknown team and we have to study them well,” Dalic stated.

“It is the first in its qualifying group without defeat but we have time to prepare everything, including the choice of camp.

“We are starting with the analysis to be ready for the World Cup, and the most important thing is for our players to be healthy and true, and we will be looking for friendly rivals outside Europe, from Africa, because we all know most about Europeans.”

Team Melli has been pitted against Spain, Portugal and Morocco in Group B of the 2018 World Cup.

Queiroz has some emotional ties to World Cup group opponents.

He is from Portugal and he lived in Spain while coaching Real Madrid in the 2003-04 season.

“It’s a tough group for us, but for me being with Portugal and Spain is very special and very emotional because Portugal is my place and Spain is a very special place for me also as a coach in my career, so I could not choose better,” Queiroz said.

“It will be a very tough competition for us, it would have been no matter what group we were in, but when you are with Spain, a World Cup winner, and Portugal, European champions, it couldn’t be better for me,” he added.

Iran has never gotten past the group stage in four World Cup appearances, and Queiroz isn’t predicting any miracles this time.

“When the game finishes I want my players to leave with their heads up,” Queiroz concluded.

The ceremony will be held at the Kremlin Palace Ballroom in Moscow on Dec. 1.

This invitation came in recognition of the great role played by Mahdavikia during his career in football.

He played in four Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007) and two World Cups (1998, 2006).

Mahdavikia made 110 performance for Team Melli and scored 13 goals.

He was selected as a member of the Hamburger SV Team of the Century in October 2012 as well.