Persib Bandung officially confirmed its route through the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2026/2027 season, landing in Group E alongside FC Seoul from South Korea, Melbourne Victory from Australia, and Vietnam’s Thể Công–Viettel, according to club announcements and regional sports reporting.
How Persib Secured Group E Qualification
The journey to the continental group stage required a tense playoff battle at Stadion Si Jalak Harupat in Soreang, regency of Bandung, West Java. Persib secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Philippine side Manila Digger FC on Monday, August 31, 2026. Striker Mariano Peralta delivered the decisive blow in the 89th minute, finding the back of the net just before regulation time expired to seal Pangeran Biru’s place in Group E.
Reflecting on the hard-fought playoff win, Mariano Peralta acknowledged the physical demands and intensity of the encounter, noting that the squad had to work tirelessly until the final whistle to break down a resilient opponent. With qualification secured, head coach Igor Tolic and his technical staff immediately turned their attention to a demanding continental calendar that intersects with domestic league ambitions.
Group E Opponents and Matchday Schedule
Persib faces a demanding six-match home-and-away schedule against some of the most established clubs in the region. According to official tournament fixtures published by regional media outlets, the team’s group stage itinerary is set as follows (all times in Western Indonesia Time, WIB):
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- Matchday 1 (Tandang / Away): FC Seoul vs. Persib Bandung — Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 17.00 WIB (19:00 UTC+9), Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul.
- Matchday 2 (Kandang / Home): Persib Bandung vs. Thể Công–Viettel — Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA), Bandung.
- Matchday 3 (Kandang / Home): Persib Bandung vs. Melbourne Victory — Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA), Bandung.
- Matchday 4 (Tandang / Away): Melbourne Victory vs. Persib Bandung — Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 14.45 WIB (18:45 UTC+11), Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne.
- Matchday 5 (Kandang / Home): Persib Bandung vs. FC Seoul — Wednesday, November 25, 2026, Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA), Bandung.
- Matchday 6 (Tandang / Away): Thể Công–Viettel vs. Persib Bandung — Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 17.00 WIB (17:00 UTC+7), Hàng Đẫy Stadium, Hanoi.
Club management confirmed that all home fixtures for the continental campaign will be hosted at Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) in Bandung.
Squad Management Amid a Packed Early-Season Fixture List
The announcement of the ACL Two schedule highlights a punishing stretch for Persib at the start of the competitive year. Coverage from outlets such as Kompas and Detik noted that Maung Bandung faces a sequence of four high-stakes fixtures packed tightly within a 20-day window, creating significant logistical and physical hurdles.

Head coach Igor Tolic emphasized that the team must maintain absolute focus and deliver peak performances across all competitions as they balance domestic title defenses with continental aspirations. Analysts point out that squad rotation and tactical flexibility will be essential for Tolic as his players prepare for long-haul flights to Seoul, Melbourne, and Hanoi while maintaining domestic momentum.
What Comes Next
Persib’s continental campaign officially opens on September 16, 2026, when Marc Klok and his teammates travel to South Korea to face FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Supporters awaiting kickoff can monitor official club updates through Persib’s official media channels for ticketing details and broadcast information.
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