NEW DELHI: Indian clubs will compete in the qualifiers for the AFC competitions in 2023–24 from April 4 to May 3, and the nation will receive three berths from the continental organisation.
According to AIFF, India has been given three slots by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC): one in the group stage of the AFC Champions League, one in the group stage of the AFC Cup, and one in the qualifying rounds for the AFC Cup.
AFC Champions League, Group Stage, Slot 1 On April 4, 2023, the winners of the Indian Super League Shield for the 2021–22 season (Jamshedpur FC) and the 2022–23 season (Mumbai City FC) will square off. Further information will be provided in next updates. The match will be played in between the Super Cup matches.
The game's winners will be guaranteed a spot in the AFC Champions League Group Stage for 2023–24.
AFC Cup, Group Stage, Position 2 The winners of the I-League 2021–2022 (Gokulam Kerala FC) and the Super Cup 2023 will compete for this spot (TBD).
Gokulam Kerala FC will be given an automatic spot in the AFC Cup 2023–24 group stage if the Super Cup 2023 champions have already qualified for Slot 1 of the draw. Gokulam Kerala FC will qualify for the AFC Cup 2023–24 group stage if they win the Super Cup in 2023.
On April 29, 2023, a qualification game for Slot 2, if one is necessary, will be held.
Slot 3: First Round of the AFC Cup The champions of the ISL 2021–22 Trophy (Hyderabad FC) and the ISL 2022–23 Trophy will compete for this position (Bengaluru FC or ATK Mohun Bagan FC).
Hyderabad FC will not need to play in a qualification game for Slot 3 if they have already qualified for Slot 2; instead, the AFC Cup 2023–24 preliminary round spot will go to the winner of the ISL 2022–23 Trophy.
If the ISL Trophy 2022–23 champions have already qualified for Slot 2, there won't be a need for a qualification game for Slot 3, and Hyderabad FC will play in the AFC Cup 2023–24 first round by default.
If necessary, the qualifying game for Slot 3 will take place on May 3, 2023, or on a date determined by the AIFF.
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