The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced the adoption of a new mechanism to determine the participation of Saudi clubs in AFC competitions, starting from the 2026-2027 season. This significant decision follows the AFC Executive Committee's approval of the Professional Football Committee's recommendations, which were adopted during a meeting held in Vancouver, Canada. This represents a strategic step reflecting the growing prominence of the Saudi league on the continental stage.
Under the approved regulations, qualification criteria were precisely defined to ensure the participation of the strongest Saudi teams. The champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher of the 2025-2026 Saudi Professional League will qualify directly for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite. The fourth and fifth-place finishers will compete in the qualifying play-offs for the same tournament, giving them a chance to compete at the highest level. The spot allocated for the AFC Champions League 2 will be awarded to the winner of the King's Cup. If the Cup winner is among the top five teams in the league, the spot will go to the sixth-place finisher, ensuring a fair distribution of opportunities and reinforcing the importance of both domestic competitions.
General context and historical developments
This change comes as part of a comprehensive restructuring of Asian club competitions, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) deciding to increase the number of participating teams in the elite tournament from 24 to 32. This expansion aims to raise the level of competition and provide more clubs with the opportunity to participate in the continent's premier club competition. Historically, Saudi clubs have a rich history of achievements in the AFC Champions League, with Al-Hilal being the most successful club in the competition's history, alongside significant successes by Al-Ittihad, making the Kingdom a major footballing force in Asia. The new decision aligns with the remarkable growth of the Saudi Professional League (SPL), which has attracted top international stars, thus raising its technical quality and marketing value to unprecedented levels.
The importance and expected impact of the decision
This new mechanism is expected to have multiple positive effects on various levels. Domestically, the decision will intensify competition in the Saudi Professional League, as the battle will not only be for the title but also for the top six continental qualifying spots, thus raising the level of excitement and competitiveness in all league matches. Regionally, the presence of more star-studded Saudi clubs will raise the overall technical level of Asian tournaments, creating more intense and engaging matches for fans across the continent. Internationally, this decision enhances the global standing of Saudi football and attracts the attention of followers outside the continent, contributing to increased commercial value for Asian tournaments and their global broadcasting rights. As a result, the Kingdom has secured the maximum number of available slots (three direct slots and two playoff slots in the elite tournament, and one direct slot in the second tournament), reflecting the Asian Football Confederation's confidence in the strength and development of Saudi football.
