AFC Champions League Elite Fantasy: Matchday 1 Tips & Strategy | OneFootball

The wait is finally over. The AFC Champions League Elite Fantasy is back, promising another season of thrilling battles, tactical decisions, and star-studded performances.

As managers prepare their squads for Matchday 1, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: a quick look back at the standout names from last season, the hottest picks for 2025/26, essential captain choices, squadbuilding strategies,and of course, the brand new boosters that could make all the difference.

The game is free to play and available on the-AFC.com/aclelite_fantasy and through the AFC LIVE App on iOS and Android.

A look back at 2024/25

If your picks were Al Ahli's players, you must have enjoyed an exhilarating season of the AFC Champions League Elite. The Saudi Arabian side edged Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in the final to clinch their first ACL Elite title.

The tournament's champions dominated the top five highest-scoring players, with MVP Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez all featuring. Meanwhile, semi-finalist Al Hilal's Salem al-Dawsari won his first-ever Golden Boot and topped the list above.

João Cancelo was in high spirits and was the most selected player, while his legendary Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was the most picked captain.

As for the highest-scoring players in each position, Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou registered five clean sheets to finish as the Fantasy's best goalkeeper.

Key players and captains for 2025/26

Cristiano Ronaldo may have departed for AFC Champions League Two but the captaincy race remains fierce. Riyad Mahrez, fresh from lifting the trophy with Al Ahli, is another reliable armband contender.

Salem Al Dawsari, despite a recent hamstring injury, remains on many managers’ radars, while Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Arif Aiman and Al Sadd’s Akram Afif are dark horses for captaincy.

In goal, it’s shaping up to be a duel between Al Hilal’s Yassine Bounou and Al Ahli’s Édouard Mendy, two of the most-selected shot-stoppers last term. At the back, João Cancelo remains a safe choice, but Theo Hernández’s arrival at Al Hilal adds spice to the defender pool.

Midfield presents plenty of competition with Franck Kessié, Mahrez, and newcomer Enzo Millot of Al Ahli. Up front, Darwin Núñez’s €45m move from Liverpool to Al Hilal makes him one of the most intriguing names, especially now that Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and Anderson Lopes are no longer in the competition.

Matchday 1 Predictions

The spotlight is firmly on Darwin Núñez. With Mitrović and Al Dawsari yet to confirm return dates from injury, the Uruguayan striker has a golden opportunity to shine in Al Hilal’s Group A opener against Al-Duhail SC. His work rate and scoring instinct could make him the most popular debut pick of Matchday 1.

Defending champions Al Ahli begin their title defense at home against Nasaf Qarshi. Last season's MVP Roberto Firmino left for Al Sadd but Al Ahli's squad depth remains impressive. Enzo Millot, with his creativity and flair, could emerge as a surprise captain option for bold managers.

Meanwhile, keep an eye on Mahrez, who remains one of the most consistent Fantasy performers.

If you’d love to challenge, you can go with promising talents from La Masia like Al Ittihad’s Unai Hernandez or Arnau Pradas, who are in our AFC Champions League Elite NEOM Future stars List of this season.