2021 AFC Champions League

The 2021 AFC Champions League will be the 40th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 19th under the current AFC Champions League title.[1]

2021 AFC Champions League
Tournament details
DatesQualifying:
7–14 April 2021
Competition proper:
14 April – 27 November 2021
TeamsCompetition proper: 40
Total: 50 (from 20 associations)

The tournament will be the first to involve 40 teams during the group stage, with an increase from the previous 32 teams.[2] The winners of the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2022 AFC Champions League, entering the qualifying play-offs, if they have not qualified through their domestic performance.[3] The winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League will also qualify for the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, and if they are from Japan, the runners-up will also qualify.

South Korean club Ulsan Hyundai are the defending champions, having won the 2020 final.

Association team allocation

The 46 AFC member associations (excluding the Northern Mariana Islands, which became a full member in December 2020 and are not eligible for this season) are ranked based on their clubs' performance over the last four years in AFC competitions (their national team's FIFA World Rankings no longer considered).[4] The slots are allocated by the following criteria according to the Entry Manual:[5]

  • The associations are split into two regions (Article 3.1):
  • The top 12 associations in each region are eligible to enter the AFC Champions League.
  • In each region, there are five groups in the group stage, including 16 direct slots, with the 4 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 3.2). The slots in each region are distributed as follows:[6][7]
    • The associations ranked 1st and 2nd are each allocated three direct slots and one play-off slot.
    • The associations ranked 3rd and 4th are each allocated two direct slots and two play-off slots.
    • The associations ranked 5th are each allocated one direct slot and two play-off slots.
    • The associations ranked 6th are each allocated one direct slot and one play-off slot.
    • The associations ranked 7th to 10th are each allocated one direct slot.
    • The associations ranked 11th to 12th are each allocated one play-off slot.
  • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are each allocated one play-off slot should they not qualify for the tournament through domestic performance (Article 3.6). However, there are no AFC Cup title holders for this season as the 2020 AFC Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The following rules are applied:
    • If the AFC Champions League title holders or AFC Cup title holders are from associations ranked 1st to 6th, their association is allocated the same number of play-off slots, and they replace the lowest-seeded team from their association. Otherwise, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and they do not replace any team from their association (Articles 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10).
    • If both the AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are from the same association which is allocated only one play-off slot, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and only the lowest-seeded team from their association is replaced as a result (Article 3.11).
    • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are the lowest-seeded teams in the qualifying play-offs if they do not replace any team from their association (Article 3.12).
  • If any association ranked 1st to 6th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have all their direct slots converted into play-off slots. The direct slots given up are redistributed to the highest eligible association by the following criteria (Articles 3.13 and 3.14):
    • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is four and the maximum number of direct slots is three (Articles 3.4 and 3.5).
    • If any association ranked 3rd to 6th is allocated one additional direct slot, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
    • If any association ranked 5th to 6th is allocated two additional direct slots, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
  • If any association ranked 7th to 10th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have their direct slot converted into play-off slot. The direct slot given up is redistributed to the next association ranked 11th or 12th, whose play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed, or if neither are eligible, the highest eligible association by the same criteria as mentioned above (Articles 3.16 and 3.17).
  • If any association with only play-off slot(s), including any association ranked 11th to 12th or those mentioned above, do not fulfill the minimum AFC Champions League criteria, the play-off slot(s) are annulled and not redistributed (Articles 3.19 and 3.20).
  • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is one-third of the total number of eligible teams (excluding foreign teams) in the top division (Article 3.4). If this rule is applied, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.10).
  • All participating teams must be granted an AFC Champions League license, and apart from cup winners, finish in the top half of their top division (Articles 7.1 and 9.5). If any association do not have enough teams which satisfy this criteria, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.9).
  • If any team granted a license refuses to participate, their slot, either direct or play-off, is annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.11).

Association ranking

For the 2021 AFC Champions League, the associations are allocated slots according to their association ranking which was published on 29 November 2019,[9][10] which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup during the period between 2016 and 2019.

Participation for 2021 AFC Champions League[11]
Participating
Not participating
Notes
  1. ^
    Turkmenistan (TKM): The team from Turkmenistan granted an AFC Champions license, Köpetdag, withdrew from the competition before the draw.[11]
  2. ^
    Lebanon (LBN): No teams from Lebanon were granted an AFC Champions League license.[11]
  3. ^
    Syria (SYR): No teams from Syria were granted an AFC Champions League license.[11]
  4. ^
    North Korea (PRK): No teams from North Korea were granted an AFC Champions League license.[11]

Teams

In the following table, the number of appearances and last appearance count only those since the 2002–03 season (including qualifying rounds), when the competition was rebranded as the AFC Champions League.

Notes
  1. ^
    Title holders (TH): Ulsan Hyundai are the title holders.
  2. ^
    Australia (AUS): Wellington Phoenix, the 2019–20 A-League regular season third place, are a team from New Zealand and thus ineligible to represent Australia in AFC club competitions. As a result, Brisbane Roar, the 2019–20 A-League regular season fourth place, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  3. ^
    China (CHN): On 8 February 2021, the AFC announced that Shandong Taishan, the 2020 Chinese FA Cup winners, had not satisfied the mandatory Criterion F.04 of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2016) concerning overdue payables, and their licence was withdrawn by the AFC's independent Entry Control Body, and thus were declared ineligible to participate in the 2021 AFC Champions League.[12] The teams from China playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League are determined only by the results of the 2020 Chinese Super League.[13]
  4. ^
    Iraq (IRQ): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, the 2019–20 Iraqi Premier League and the 2019–20 Iraq FA Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the Iraq Football Association. Originally a play-off was to be held to determine the teams from Iraq playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League.[14] However, it was later decided that the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 Iraqi Premier League and 2018–19 Iraq FA Cup) would be used.[15]
  5. ^
    South Korea (KOR): Sangju Sangmu, the 2020 K League 1 fourth place, are a military team and have confirmed that the team would move its franchise city in the 2021 season and would be relegated to K League 2 regardless of their final position in the 2020 season. As a result, Daegu FC, the 2020 K League 1 fifth place, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  6. ^
    Philippines (PHI): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the 2020 Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled and not organized by the Philippine Football Federation. The teams from the Philippines playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League are determined only by the results of the 2020 Philippines Football League.[16]
  7. ^
    Singapore (SIN): Albirex Niigata (S), the 2020 Singapore Premier League champions, is a team from Japan and thus ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions. As a result, Tampines Rovers, the 2020 Singapore Premier League runners-up, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  8. ^
    Thailand (THA): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, the Football Association of Thailand extended both the 2020 Thai League 1 and 2020 Thai FA Cup to be completed in 2021. The teams from Thailand playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League are determined by the results of the 2020–21 Thai League 1 after the first half of the season (Round 15).[17][18]
  9. ^
    United Arab Emirates (UAE): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, the 2019–20 UAE Pro League and the 2019–20 UAE President's Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the United Arab Emirates Football Association. The teams from the United Arab Emirates playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League are determined by the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 UAE Pro League and 2018–19 UAE President's Cup).[19][20]
  10. ^
    Uzbekistan (UZB): Nasaf, the 2020 Uzbekistan Super League runners-up, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, AGMK, the second best team granted an AFC Champions League license (2020 Uzbekistan Super League third place), qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League.[11][21]
Location of teams of the 2021 AFC Champions League.
Brown: Group A; Red: Group B; Orange: Group C; Yellow: Group D; Pink: Group E;
Green: Group F; Blue: Group G; Cyan: Group H; Turquoise: Group I; Purple: Group J;
Qualifying play-offs

Schedule

The schedule of the competition is as follows.[22]

On 25 January 2021, the AFC published the schedule of the competition. The group stage is played as centralized double round-robin tournament, and the round of 16 and quarter-finals are played as a single match.[23]

Notes:

  • W: West Region
  • E: East Region
Stage Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Preliminary stage Preliminary round No draw 7 April 2021 (E)
Play-off stage Play-off round 7 April 2021 (W), 14 April 2021 (E)
Group stage Matchday 1 27 January 2021[24] 14–15 April 2021 (W), 21–22 April 2021 (E)
Matchday 2 17–18 April 2021 (W), 24–25 April 2021 (E)
Matchday 3 20–21 April 2021 (W), 27–28 April 2021 (E)
Matchday 4 23–24 April 2021 (W), 30 April–1 May 2021 (E)
Matchday 5 26–27 April 2021 (W), 3–4 May 2021 (E)
Matchday 6 29–30 April 2021 (W), 6–7 May 2021 (E)
Knockout stage Round of 16 13–15 September 2021
Quarter-finals TBD 27–29 September 2021
Semi-finals 19–20 October 2021 26–27 October 2021
Final 21 November 2021 27 November 2021

The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows.

Original schedule for 2021 AFC Champions League
Stage Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Preliminary stage Preliminary round No draw 26 January 2021
Play-off stage Play-off round 2 February 2021
Group stage Matchday 1 TBD 15–16 February 2021 (W); 23–24 February 2021 (E)
Matchday 2 22–23 February 2021 (W); 2–3 March 2021 (E)
Matchday 3 8–9 March 2021 (W); 16–17 March 2021 (E)
Matchday 4 5–7 April 2021
Matchday 5 19–21 April 2021
Matchday 6 3–5 May 2021
Knockout stage Round of 16 17–19 May 2021 24–26 May 2021
Quarter-finals TBD 23–25 August 2021 13–15 September 2021
Semi-finals 28–29 September 2021 19–20 October 2021
Final 21 November 2021 27 November 2021

Qualifying play-offs
Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs

In the qualifying play-offs, each tie will be played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner if necessary.[1] The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined based on each team's association ranking and their seeding within their association, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The eight winners of the play-off round (four each from both West Region and East Region) will advance to the group stage to join the 32 direct entrants.[25]

Preliminary round
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Brisbane Roar 7 Apr (East 1.1) Kaya–Iloilo
Melbourne City 7 Apr (East 1.2) Shan United

Play-off round
Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Region
Al-Gharafa 7 Apr (West 2.1) AGMK
Al-Wehda 7 Apr (West 2.2) Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Foolad 7 Apr (West 2.3) Al-Ain
Al-Wahda 7 Apr (West 2.4) Al-Zawraa
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Shanghai Port 14 Apr (East 2.1) Winners of East 1.1
Cerezo Osaka 14 Apr (East 2.2) Winners of East 1.2
Pohang Steelers 14 Apr (East 2.3) Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
Daegu FC 14 Apr (East 2.4) Chiangrai United

Group stage
Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League group stage

The draw for the group stage was held on 27 January 2021, 16:30 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[26] The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four: five groups each in the West Region (Groups A–E) and the East Region (Groups F–J). For each zone, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association, in consideration of technical balance between groups. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.[25] In the group stage, each group will be played on a double round-robin basis in centralised venues. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region will advance to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.

Group A
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIL SAH IST A4
1 Al-Hilal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Shabab Al-Ahli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Istiklol 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off West 2.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification SHA TRA PAK B4
1 Sharjah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Tractor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Pakhtakor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off West 2.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DUH AHL EST SHO
1 Al-Duhail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Al-Ahli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Esteghlal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Al-Shorta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group D
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification SAD NAS WEH D4
1 Al-Sadd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Al-Nassr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Al-Wehdat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off West 2.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group E
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PER RAY GOA E4
1 Persepolis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Al-Rayyan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Goa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off West 2.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group F
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PAT ULS VIE F4
1 BG Pathum United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Ulsan Hyundai 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Viettel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off East 2.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group G
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification JIA NAG JOH G4
1 Jiangsu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Nagoya Grampus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Johor Darul Ta'zim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off East 2.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group H
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification JEO GAM TAM SYD
1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Gamba Osaka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Tampines Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Sydney FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group I
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KAW BJG UNI I4
1 Kawasaki Frontale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Beijing Guoan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 United City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off East 2.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

Group J
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification GZH POR KIT J4
1 Guangzhou 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16 —
2 Port 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May advance to Round of 16 through best runners-up —
3 Kitchee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
4 Winners of Play-off East 2.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC

West Region
Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 A A2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16
2 B B2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 C C2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 D D2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 E E2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

East Region
Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 F F2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round of 16
2 G G2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 H H2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 I I2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 J J2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

Knockout stage

Round of 16

The round of 16 will be played over one leg, with the matchups determined by the following tables based on which group runners-up qualify. If a group winner plays a group runner-up, the group winner hosts the match. If two group winners play each other, the group winner marked with * hosts the match.[25]

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals will be played over one leg, with the matchups and home team decided by draw.

Semi-finals

The semi-finals will be played over two legs, with the order of legs determined by the quarter-final draw.

  • West Region: Winners of Quarter-final West 1 (first leg home team) vs Winners of Quarter-final West 2 (second leg home team)
  • East Region: Winners of Quarter-final East 1 (first leg home team) vs Winners of Quarter-final East 2 (second leg home team)

Final

The final will be played over two legs. The order of legs is determined on a rotation basis, with the first leg hosted by team from the West Region, and the second leg hosted by team from the East Region, as in the case of odd-numbered years (Regulations 9.1.2).[1]

  • Winners of Semi-final West (first leg home team) vs Winners of Semi-final East (second leg home team).

See also

References
  1. "AFC Champions League 2021 Competition Regulations" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation.
  2. "AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  3. "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  4. "AFC Club Competitions Ranking Mechanics". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  5. "Entry Manual for AFC Club Competitions (2021 Edition)". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  6. "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019.
  7. "Four Thailand clubs in AFC Champions League 2021; Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore also get group stage entry – Reports". Fox Sports Asia. 4 December 2019.
  8. "AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar". AFC. 10 September 2020.
  9. "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  10. "AFC Country Ranking 2019". FootyRankings. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  11. "List of Licensed Clubs for AFC Champions League 2021" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation.
  12. "Latest Decision by AFC Entry Control Body". AFC. 8 February 2021.
  13. "鲁能无缘亚冠上港获利：获资格赛资格 国安也开心". 新浪体育. 8 February 2021.
  14. "Iraqi Premier League called off". Asian Football Confederation. 4 June 2020.
  15. "Vice-chairman of the Iraq FA normalisation committee Shamel Kamel in dialogue with Al-Mada Paper". Al-Mada Paper. 1 July 2020.
  16. Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (28 May 2020). "PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  17. "บทสรุปการจัดการแข่งขันฟุตบอลลีกอาชีพ ไทยลีก 1 -2 ฤดูกาล 2563". Football Association of Thailand. 21 April 2020.
  18. "Thai League 1 teams say no to scrapping results of first four games". The Phuket News. 22 April 2020.
  19. "قرارات الاجتماع الطارئ لمجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة". UAE Football Association. 18 June 2020.
  20. "No champions declared following cancellation of UAE Pro League 2019-20 season". Asian Football Confederation. 19 June 2020.
  21. "OFK "Nasaf"ga OChLda ishtirok etish huquqini bermadi. Qarshi jamoasi OFK Kubogida ishtirok etishi mumkin". daryo.uz. 16 December 2020.
  22. "AFC Competitions Calendar 2021". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 December 2019.
  23. "AFC Club Competitions' Group Stages to be played in centralised venues". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2021.
  24. "Largest-ever AFC Club Competitions' cast to discover opponents". AFC. 22 January 2021.
  25. "ACL 2021 Draw Mechanism". youtube.com. AFC. 26 January 2021.
  26. "2021 AFC Champions League draw produces thrilling groups". AFC. 27 January 2021.
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