KUALA LUMPUR – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is closely monitoring the scheduling of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), assuring fans and clubs that ongoing disruptions will not prevent the completion of fixtures.
Speaking during a press conference at Wisma FAM today, AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John said assessments are underway to finalise matches for all teams currently in line to qualify for the next stage.
“We are looking at how we can complete our fixtures for the teams that are currently in line to play to qualify for the next stage. At the moment, we are assessing the situation. We have a little more time,” he said.
He added that while dates may be adjusted, the venue for the Champions League final will remain unchanged.
“If anybody is asking whether the ACLE venue will be moved, at the moment, no. The dates may be changed, but the venue will not be moved because it’s a hosting decision.”
It is understood that the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will host the ACLE final on April 25 this year.
Windsor also addressed concerns about teams from the western region affected by external conflicts, stating that matches will resume once conditions allow.
“For the teams from the West, once we know that there is a little bit of hope that the war (Iran–Israel conflict) is going to end, then immediately we will start the matches to complete the fixtures,” he said.
He reassured fans and clubs that the AFC is committed to ensuring all fixtures are completed fairly, emphasising that the organisation is in constant contact with national federations to coordinate logistics and scheduling.
“We have to assess the situation carefully and ensure that matches are played in a safe and organised manner,” he added.
ACLE is Asia’s premier club competition, featuring 24 teams split evenly between the West and East regions.
The top eight clubs from each region advance to the Round of 16, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final scheduled to be played as part of the finals in Jeddah.
The West region teams that have qualified for the Round of 16 in the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite include Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Tractor (Iran), Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Al Wahda (United Arab Emirates), Shabab Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates), Al-Duhail (Qatar) and Al Sadd (Qatar), who finished in the top eight of the league stage to secure their knockout places.
These eight sides will compete over two legs in regional knockout ties before the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the East region teams that have also qualified for the Round of 16 include Machida Zelvia (Japan), Vissel Kobe (Japan), Buriram United (Thailand), Melbourne City FC (Australia), Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), FC Seoul (South Korea), Gangwon FC (South Korea) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan). – March 16, 2026