K League 1 Gangwon FC will play a 2026-2027 AFC Champions League (ACL) preliminary playoff match against Gamba Osaka, a powerhouse of Japan's J League, on the 11th. Gangwon secured qualification for the ACL main tournament by finishing fifth in K League 1 last season. In the 2024 season, they made their first-ever appearance in the ACL and advanced to the round of 16, demonstrating their strength. Gamba Osaka won ACL2 in the 2025-2026 season, earning recognition for its strong performance. The winner of this match will advance to the ACL main tournament, while the loser will compete in ACL2. Gangwon FC is expected to rely on the performances of Kim Dae-won and Abdallah as a key winning strategy.
