India Offered Three AFC Competition Slots For 2023-24

India offered three AFC competition slots for 2023-24 (Image Source: IANS)

The Qualifiers for the AFC competitions 2023-24 for the Indian clubs will be played between April 4 to May 3, with the country getting three slots from the continental body.

As per AIFF, 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 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 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 I-League 2021-22 (Gokulam Kerala FC) and the winners of the Super Cup 2023 (TBD).

If the winners of the 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 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 ISL 2021-22 Trophy (Hyderabad FC) and the 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 ISL 2022-23 Trophy will take the slot in the AFC Cup 2023-24 preliminary round.

If the winners of the 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.

If the winners of the 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.