The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two will be the 21st edition of the
Asia's second-tier club
football tournament, organized by the
Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Previously known as the AFC Cup, which had been in existence for the previous 20 seasons, this is the first season using a revised format and the new name of
AFC Champions League Two.[1][2] It will feature 32 teams in the group stage.[3]
Association team allocation
The associations are allocated slots according to their
club competitions ranking,[4] which was published after the 2022 competitions were completed.[5]
NOTE: The following slot allocation is provisional. The final number of slots allocated to each association will be based on the AFC Champions League Two criteria in the Entry Manual and confirmed by the AFC.
Participation for 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two
AFC Licensing (AFC): Association did not have a licensed club.[6]
Teams
NOTE 1: The following list of participating teams is provisional. The final list of participating teams will be confirmed by the AFC, based on the final slot allocation for each association and the list of teams passing the club licensing requirements. NOTE 2: Only teams assured of a place are displayed.
Qatar (QAT):Al-Sadd had already qualified for the Champions League Elite as the
2023-24 Qatar Stars League champions has also won the
2024 Emir of Qatar Cup. Thus, second-placed
Al-Rayyan have also qualified for the Champions League Elite league stage, the third-placed
Al-Gharafa qualified for the Champions League Elite qualifying play-off, the fourth-placed
Al-Wakrah qualified for the Champions League Two group stage.
South Korea (KOR):Pohang Steelers had already qualified for the Champions League Elite as the
2023 K League 1 runners-up when they won the
2023 Korean FA Cup. Thus, third-placed
Gwangju FC qualified for the Champions League Elite qualifying play-off, while the fourth-placed
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors qualified for the Champions League Two group stage.
Thailand (THA):Bangkok United, the
2023–24 Thai League 1 runners-up had qualified for the Champions League Elite qualifying play-off as the
2023–24 Thai FA Cup winner. Thus, third-placed
Port qualified for the Champions League Two group stage.