Sources: New Allocation Gives Saudi Arabia, Japan Six slots in AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League 2

Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Professional Football Committee at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is moving to adopt a new slot allocation for the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2, in a decision expected to reshape the continent’s club representation. Saudi Arabia and Japan would lead with six slots each across the two competitions. Under a proposal circulated within the AFC, Saudi Arabia and Japan would each receive three direct berths in the Elite competition, along with two additional slots through the playoffs, in addition to one direct berth in AFC Champions League 2. The distribution underscores the strength of domestic competitions in both countries and their growing influence at the continental level. The United Arab Emirates and South Korea would follow with five slots each, divided into three direct berths in the Elite competition, one playoff slot, and one direct berth in AFC Champions League 2, reflecting sustained competitive stability in both football landscapes in recent years. Qatar and Thailand would each be allocated four slots, comprising three direct berths in the Elite competition and one direct berth in AFC Champions League 2. Iran and China would receive three slots each, including two direct berths in the Elite competition and one direct berth in the second-tier competition. In the next tier, Uzbekistan and Australia would each be granted three slots, distributed as one direct berth in the Elite competition, one playoff slot, and one direct berth in AFC Champions League 2. Iraq and Malaysia would each receive two slots, one direct berth in the Elite competition and one direct berth in the second-tier competition. The allocation also includes Jordan and Vietnam, with each set to receive two slots: one through the playoffs for the Elite competition and one direct berth in AFC Champions League 2, offering their clubs an additional pathway to continental participation under the new structure. The same sources said the allocation is expected to be formally approved next Friday, in a pivotal regulatory step that will shape Asian club participation in the coming seasons and establish new criteria for slot distribution based on cumulative performance and continental results, amid sweeping changes to AFC club competitions.