Major changes could be on the horizon for Asian club football. According to reports, the number of participants in the AFC Elite Champions League competition is planned to be increased from 12 to 16 in both regions — West and East. If this proposal is implemented, the tournament format and quota distribution will be significantly updated.
It is understood that these changes will affect a total of 12 countries: 6 in the West region and another 6 in the East. The biggest beneficiaries, as expected, are likely to be Saudi Arabia and Japan, who are top-ranked in their respective regions. Under this proposal, it is planned to allocate an additional two spots each for the playoff stage for these countries — a possibility not previously available.
The UAE and South Korea, ranked second in their regional standings, could receive one additional spot each for the group stage. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Australia, ranked fifth, are likely to get one additional spot each for the playoff stage. Jordan and Vietnam, ranked seventh, may have the opportunity to qualify for the elite tournament for the first time — a chance they did not have before.
Interestingly, no additional quotas are foreseen for Iraq and Malaysia, who hold the sixth position. While Qatar, Thailand, Iran, and China, ranked third and fourth, will not see an increase in their number of quotas, they will gain a qualitative advantage. Specifically, their playoff spots could be converted into direct group stage berths.
The source notes that this is not yet an official decision but merely one of the proposals submitted for committee discussion. All definitive and confirmed news is expected to be announced on Friday.
If this initiative is adopted, new opportunities will emerge for Uzbek clubs. For instance, 'Neftchi' could directly qualify for the group stage of the elite competition. 'Pakhtakor' would start its participation from the playoffs and advance to the group stage if victorious, otherwise, it would go to the second-tier Champions League. 'Nasaf' could participate in the group stage of the Champions League 2 competition.
Of course, having an AFC license will be a prerequisite for clubs to utilize these opportunities. In short, if the changes are approved, new doors could open for Uzbek clubs — now, everything depends on the official decision.
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