Kuala Lumpur, 14 April 2026 – AFC has announced that it will increase the number of teams participating in the AFC Champions League Elite from 24 to 32. Vietnamese football is almost certain to have a representative in the competition.
Under the current format, the AFC Champions League Elite features 24 clubs, and Vietnam does not have a participant. However, starting from the 2026/2027 season, the AFC will expand the tournament to 32 teams. Based on the latest rankings, Vietnamese football is highly likely to secure a place.
At present, the AFC has not yet officially allocated the slots. However, based on previous expansions of the competition, Vietnam is expected to receive at least one play-off spot.
According to the AFC, the 32 teams in the 2026/2027 season will be divided into two regions: East Asia and West Asia. Each region will include 16 clubs competing in a league format of eight matches, with the top eight teams advancing to the Round of 16. From the quarter-finals onward, matches will be played in a centralized format without regional separation.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and V.League clubs have already begun preparing for the expansion of the AFC Champions League. Licensing procedures have been implemented early to ensure domestic clubs are ready and able to obtain the necessary certification to participate in Asian competitions.
The 2026/2027 Asian football season is set to kick off in August 2026. The AFC is expected to announce the official allocation of slots for member associations in the coming days.
VSN/RPT
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