Clubs confirmed for the AFC Champions League Elite™ and AFC Champions League Two™ 2026/27

Following the confirmation of the final standings in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE, the clubs that have qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2026/27, which kicks off in August 2026, have been confirmed as follows.

For details of the qualification criteria, please refer to the release “Regarding Qualification Slots for the 2026/27 AFC Club Competitions,” published on 1 May 2026.

【Qualified clubs】

ACL Elite 2026/27 – Direct

Kashima Antlers
(2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 Champions)

Vissel Kobe
(MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Champions)

Kashiwa Reysol
(2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 runners-up)

ACL Elite 2026/27 Indirect

Kyoto Sanga F.C.
(2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 third place)

Gamba Osaka
(ACL Two 2025/26 Champions)

ACL Two 2026/27 Direct

FC Machida Zelvia
(Emperor's Cup JFA 106th Japan Football Championship winners)

-Direct Qualification
Direct entry to the ACL Elite League Stage (LS).

-Indirect Qualification
Clubs enter the ACL Elite Preliminary Stage (PS). Winners advance to the ACL Elite League Stage (LS), while the losing clubs enter the ACL Two Group Stage (GS).