The qualifiers for the 2023-24 AFC competitions for Indian clubs will be played between April 4 and May 3, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Tuesday after the continental body offered the country three berths. . The Asian Football Confederation has allocated three berths to India: one in the AFC Champions League group stage, one in the AFC Cup group stage and one berth in the AFC Cup Qualifiers. .
The winners of the 2021-22 Indian Super League Shield (Jamshedpur FC) and the winners of the same in the 2022-23 season (Mumbai City FC) will meet in a one-off match on April 4. The match will be played between the Super Cup matches and the winners of the game will get a direct berth in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stage.
For the 2023-24 AFC Cup group stage, this spot will be determined between the winners of the 2021-22 I-League (Gokulam Kerala FC) and the winners of the 2023 Super Cup.
If the 2023 Super Cup winners have already qualified for slot 1, Gokulam Kerala FC will get an automatic spot in the 2023-24 AFC Cup group stage. Also, if Gokulam Kerala FC wins the Super Cup, it will secure their qualification for the group stage of the AFC Cup.
The qualifying match for Slot 2, if required, will be played on April 29.
For the preliminary round of the AFC Cup, the spot will be decided between the winners of the 2021-22 ISL Trophy (Hyderabad FC) and the 2022-23 ISL Trophy (Bengaluru FC or ATK Mohun Bagan FC).
If Hyderabad FC has already qualified for slot 2, a qualifying match for slot 3 will not be required, and the winner of the 2022-23 ISL Trophy will occupy the spot in the preliminary round of the 2023-24 AFC Cup.
If the winners of the 2022-23 ISL Trophy have already qualified for slot 2, a qualifying match for slot 3 would not be required and Hyderabad FC would automatically play the preliminary round of the 2023-24 AFC Cup.
The qualifying match for place 3, if necessary, will be played on May 3, or as decided by the AIFF, the federation said.
