The Qualifiers for the AFC Competitions 2023-24 for the Indian clubs are to be played between April 4 to May 3, 2023, the Federation announced on Tuesday, March 14.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has allocated three slots to India — one in the AFC Champions League Group Stage, one in the AFC Cup Group Stage, and one slot for the AFC Cup Qualifiers.
Slot 1: AFC Champions League, Group Stage
The winners of the Hero Indian Super League Shield 2021-22 (Jamshedpur FC) and winners of the same in the 2022-23 season (Mumbai City FC) will fight it out in a one-off match on April 4, 2023. The match will be played between the matches of the Hero Super Cup, with further details to follow in later updates.
The winners of the game will get a direct slot in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage.
Slot 2: AFC Cup, Group Stage
This slot will be determined between the winners of the Hero I-League 2021-22 (Gokulam Kerala FC) and the winners of the Hero Super Cup 2023 (TBD).
If the winners of the Hero Super Cup 2023 have already qualified for Slot 1, then Gokulam Kerala FC will get an automatic spot in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Group Stage.
If Gokulam Kerala FC win the Hero Super Cup 2023, then they will secure their qualification for the AFC Cup 2023-24 Group Stage.
The qualifying match for Slot 2, should it be required, will be played on April 29, 2023.
Slot 3: AFC Cup Preliminary Round
This slot will be decided between the winners of the Hero ISL 2021-22 Trophy (Hyderabad FC) and the Hero ISL 2022-23 Trophy (Bengaluru FC or ATK Mohun Bagan FC).
If Hyderabad FC have already qualified for Slot 2, then a qualification match for Slot 3 will not be required, and the winner of the Hero ISL 2022-23 Trophy will take the slot in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Preliminary Round.
If the winners of the Hero ISL Trophy 2022-23 have already qualified for Slot 2, then a qualifying match for Slot 3 will not be required, and Hyderabad FC would automatically play the AFC Cup 2023-24 Preliminary Round.
The Qualifying match for Slot 3, should it be required, will be played on May 3, 2023, or as decided by the AIFF.
Note: All above-mentioned slot allocations are subject to fulfilment of relevant AFC Regulations (as applicable).
Courtesy: AIFF Media
