Indian football has experienced a setback in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) club competition rankings. The AFC revised its slot allocation for the 2027-28 cycle, moving India down to the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian club football. Previously, Indian clubs had a direct slot in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) for the 2026-27 season, but now they will compete in the second-tier AFC Champions League 2.
The latest slot allocation document from the AFC confirms that Indian clubs will no longer have a direct entry into the ACL2, signaling a demotion for India in the AFC club competition structure. India’s club teams will now need to go through qualifiers to secure a spot in the main competition. The revision is a result of India’s declining AFC club competition ranking, influenced by the performance of Indian clubs in continental tournaments over an eight-year period.
India’s current standing at 15th among West Asian countries reflects the country’s struggles in recent AFC competitions. The AFC Challenge League, now India’s destination, serves as the third tier of Asian club competition under the AFC Champions League Elite and ACL2. Indian clubs’ underwhelming performances and failure to meet minimum match criteria have contributed to this downgrade.
The AFC Challenge League winners earn a spot in the following season’s ACL2 group stage, offering Indian clubs a pathway to reclaim a position in the second tier if they excel in continental competitions.
