*This content was translated by AI.
The final list of teams qualified for the 2026–2027 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) final tournament, which determines Asia's strongest teams, has been officially confirmed. In the professional K League 1, three teams — Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Daejeon Hana Citizen, and Pohang Steelers — will take part.
Starting this season, the ACLE expanded its final tournament participants from 24 to 32 teams (from 12 to 16 teams each in East and West Asia). The final qualified teams were confirmed on the 11th following the conclusion of the ACLE play-offs. On that day, Gangwon FC attempted to qualify for the ACLE finals against Gamba Osaka but lost 0–1 amid controversial officiating decisions, dropping down to the next tier, the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2).
As a result, only Jeonbuk, the 2025 K League 1 champion; Daejeon, the runner-up; and Pohang, the fourth-place team in K League 1, will advance to the ACLE finals. Although Gangwon finished third in the 2025 K League 1 season, as a military club, Gimcheon lacks eligibility for AFC club competitions, so Pohang secured their qualification spot instead.
In contrast, Japan will send five teams: the 2025 J League champion Kashima Antlers; Vissel Kobe, winner of the Hakunensou League held during the first half of this year amid the transition from Chunshu to Shushu format; Kashiwa Reysol and Kyoto Sanga, who finished second and third in the 2025 J League 1 respectively; and Gamba Osaka, which qualified through play-offs as the 2025–2026 ACL2 champion.
Additionally, Thailand will send three teams — Buriram United, Port FC, and Ratchaburi — matching the number of K League participants. China will send two teams: Shanghai Port and Beijing Guoan. Australia will be represented by Newcastle Jets; Malaysia by Johor Darul Ta'zim; and Vietnam by Cong An Ha Noi FC.
In West Asia, Saudi Arabia leads with five teams, including Al-Nassr featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will send three teams, Qatar three teams, Iran and Uzbekistan two teams each, and Iraq one team to the finals.
The ACLE final tournament group draw will take place on the 18th at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the league stage, no separate group draw will be held; instead, teams from East and West Asia will be drawn into matchups only. Each team will play eight matches, with the top 16 teams advancing to the round of 16 based on overall league standings. Among the 16th participating teams in the East Asian league stage, the top eight (ranked 1st to 8th) will advance to the knockout round of 16.
The league stage is scheduled from mid-September to mid-next February, with the round of 16 set for March next year. From the quarterfinals through the final, matches will be held sequentially in Saudi Arabia over approximately 20 days from April to May next year.
- Japan (5): Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka
- South Korea (3): Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Daejeon Hana Citizen, Pohang Steelers
- Thailand (3): Buriram United, Port FC, Ratchaburi FC
- China (2): Shanghai Port, Beijing Guoan
- Australia (1): Newcastle Jets
- Malaysia (1): Johor Darul Ta'zim
- Vietnam (1): Cong An Ha Noi FC
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*This content was translated by AI.
