1. AFC Champions League 2024/25
2. India AFC Champions League
3. Indian teams in AFC Champions League
India secures two spots in the AFC Champions League 2 2024/2025, the second-tier club football tournament by the AFC. Despite ranking 17th in West Asia, India misses out on the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite due to poor performance. The rebranded tournaments will see Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal representing India in the group stage and qualifying playoffs, respectively. The country’s absence in the elite competition is attributed to low co-efficient ratings. Last year, Mumbai City FC was the last Indian club to participate. With slots allocated, Indian clubs aim to make a mark in the upcoming AFC Champions League 2.
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India has secured two spots in the AFC Champions League 2 for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. This tournament, formerly known as the AFC Cup, is a prestigious second-tier club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This development comes as a boost for Indian football, providing an opportunity for clubs to compete on the continental stage.
The allocation of these spots is based on the latest AFC Club Competitions Ranking, where India currently holds the 17th position in West Asia with a total of 22.806 points. Leading the chart is Saudi Arabia with an impressive 103.148 points. Due to this ranking, India will not have representation in the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite, as the country’s performance in the tournament and its coefficient rating fell short last year.
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In the previous season, India lost its sole spot in the AFC Champions League after a disappointing performance by Indian clubs and a low coefficient rating. Mumbai City FC was the last Indian club to participate in the tournament. As a result, the AFC rebranded both tournaments, renaming them AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2.
The two slots offered to India for the AFC Champions League 2 are as follows:
Slot 1 – AFC Champions League 2 Group Stage:
The regular season winners of the Indian Super League 2023/24 will gain direct entry into the group stage. Currently, Mohun Bagan Super Giants are set to take this spot after emerging victorious in the regular season and surpassing Mumbai City FC.
Slot 2 – AFC Champions League 2 Qualifying Round Playoffs:
The second spot allocated to India is in the qualifying playoffs, where the winning team can progress to the group stages. East Bengal is currently in line to take this playoff spot after their triumph in the Super Cup last season.
It is important to note that apart from these two slots, India will not have any representation in the AFC Champions League Elite or the AFC Challenge League, the third-tier tournament making a comeback after a decade.
The opportunity for Indian clubs to participate in the AFC Champions League 2 is a significant milestone for the country’s footballing landscape. It provides a platform for teams to showcase their talent, gain exposure at the continental level, and test their skills against top clubs from across Asia.
As Indian football continues to evolve and grow, securing two spots in the AFC Champions League 2 is a step in the right direction. It offers clubs the chance to compete against high-quality opposition, gain valuable experience, and raise the profile of Indian football on the global stage. This development marks a positive stride for the sport in the country and opens up new avenues for growth and success in the future.