Playoffs to decide Indian clubs' participation in AFC competitions

The calendar will now begin in August and run until March.

The AIFF on Friday (March 4) announced the road ahead to decide the qualification for the AFC club competitions of the 2023-24 season. In a release, the body announced that teams will face each other in playoffs to decide the three continental spots.

On Friday, 25th February 2022, the Executive Committee took a decision to change the AFC Champions League, and the AFC Cup calendar. This transitions the Champions League and AFC Cup from its current Spring-Autumn season to Autumn-Spring, with both competitions set to be organised across dual calendar years beginning from the 2023-24 season which will kick-off in August.

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The AIFF hence, summoned a meeting with all Indian Super League and I-League clubs, and as discussed, and agreed by majority of the clubs, everyone felt the fairest way to decide the qualification for the 2023-24 season would be to have play-off match/es between the winners of 2021-22, and 2022-23 editions.

The AIFF, after due consideration accepted the views of the clubs. A more detailed note on the play-off process will be shared with all stakeholders in the coming week.

AFC Champions League

The ISL shield winners of this season will face the Shield champions from next season to decide the coveted AFC Champions League group stage spot for the 2023-24 season.

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AFC Cup

With the Super League set for a return, the winner of the Super Cup next season will face this season's I-League winners to decide that berth.

AFC Cup playoffs

ATK Mohun Bagan will play the AFC Cup playoffs this season by virtue of finishing second last year after Mumbai City FC clinched both the League Shield and trophy. However, next season the AFC Cup playoffs spot will be decided between the ISL champions of this season and ISL 2022-23 season.

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