Saudi Arabia will host the first two final stages of the reformed Asian Champions League.
Both in the 2024/25 season and a year later, the title holder of the “AFC Champions League Elite” will be chosen in the country that will most likely also host the World Cup in 2034. The Asian Football Association announced this on Friday.
The AFC Champions League will in future consist of 24 teams, which will be divided into two twelve-team leagues in the east and west.
From the quarter-finals onwards, the knockout round will be played in just one playoff game and at one location – in the first two editions this will be Saudi Arabia, and Iraq has also expressed interest.
Saudi Arabia is the only applicant for the 2034 World Cup. The FIFA Club World Cup will also take place there for the first time at the end of December, and the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2034 Asian Games were also awarded to the country criticized for its handling of human rights.