Asian Champions League Expansion: More Opportunities for Saudi and Japanese Clubs

The Asian Champions League is set for a major expansion with its league phase growing to 32 teams starting from the 2026/27 season, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Friday. Clubs from Saudi Arabia and Japan are among the primary beneficiaries of this decision due to their historical performance and dominance in previous tournaments.

According to the latest updates, Saudi Arabia will now receive three automatic berths, equaling Japan, with both nations granted two additional playoff slots. This strategic move underscores the AFC's commitment to enhancing the competition's inclusivity and reach across Asia's footballing network. The expansion will accommodate 16 teams from both west and east regions of Asia.

Other countries are also set to benefit from these changes. The United Arab Emirates and South Korea will see an increase in their slots, while China will retain their two automatic spots but lose a playoff place. Australia, Jordan, and Vietnam have been allocated new playoff slots to elevate their competitive standings in upcoming seasons. These decisions await the AFC executive committee's final ratification.

(With inputs from agencies.)