2012 AFC Presidents Cup champions FK Istiklol are back in the Asian scene but now this time at AFC Cup group stage and will be the 3rd Tajik club that will be represented at the competition after Regar TadAZ and Ravshan played the competitions in the previous editions, both Regar TadAZ and Ravshan were the first Tajik representants in 2013 and and year after Ravshan were the only team who flew the Tajik flag in the competition, this year 2 entrants from TJK were given, besides Istiklol, FK Khayr who finished 2nd in the Tajik League last year were the other representative but they lose in the qualifying playoff vs Salam Zgharta.
Istiklol are located in Group C with last year defending champions Qadsia from Kuwait, last year runners-up Arbil from Iraq and debutants Ahal from Turkmenistan.
2014 Tajik League and also Tajik Cup champions Istiklol makes their maiden debut on February 25 vs Iraqi champions and last year tournament runners-up Arbil at the Central Republican stadium in Dushanbe.