With a total of 132.545 points, Saudi Arabia’s position at the top was largely driven by the impressive performances of their clubs in the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) and AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two). Al Ahli Saudi FC successfully defended their crown last month, while Al Nassr Club finished runners-up in the ACL Two.

 

Japan finished second with 120.410 points, bolstered by the performances of FC Machida Zelvia, who ensured the seventh appearance of a club from the East Asian nation in the Final of Asia’s premier club competition.

 

Japan’s tally was further strengthened by Gamba Osaka’s title-winning performance in the ACL Two, where they defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr 1-0.

Korea Republic secured third place in the 2025/26 rankings following Gangwon FC and FC Seoul’s Round of 16 appearances in the ACL Elite, while Pohang Steelers further contributed to the East Asians’ tally with their run to the Knockout Stage of the ACL Two.

 

Amassing a total of 87.334 points, Korea Republic’s ranking was also aided by Pohang Steelers’ runners-up finish in 2021 and Gwangju FC’s Quarter-final appearance in last year’s ACL Elite Finals.

Meanwhile, Indonesia recorded the biggest rise, climbing five places from 25th to 20th, with their improvement largely attributed to Persib Bandung’s appearance in the Round of 16 of the ACL Two, where they were eliminated by Thailand’s Ratchaburi FC, while Dewa United’s Quarter-final finish in the AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) also contributed to the jump.

 

Among the other climbers was Cambodia, with both Phnom Penh Crown FC and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC reaching the Quarter-finals of the ACGL, where they faced each other. The latter emerged victorious, before falling to Kuwait SC in the Final.

In the slot allocation for the AFC Men’s Club Competitions 2027/28 season, Saudi Arabia continue to lead the West Region with six slots, comprising three direct places and two indirect spots in the ACL Elite, as well as one direct berth in the ACL Two.

 

The United Arab Emirates follow with five slots, including three direct berths and one indirect spot in the ACL Elite, as well as one direct slot in the ACL Two, while the Islamic Republic of Iran secured four places.

 

In the East Region, Japan lead the way with six slots, made up of three direct and two indirect places in the ACL Elite, alongside one direct berth in the ACL Two. Korea Republic follow with five places, while Thailand secured four slots in total.

 

China PR and Australia were each awarded three places, while Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines all secured two slots apiece across the AFC’s men’s club competitions.

 

To see the full AFC Men’s Club Competitions Ranking, please click here, while the AFC Men’s Club Competitions 2027/28 Slot Allocation can be accessed here.