Kyoto Sanga F.C. confirmed for the League Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27

Following the announcement by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on 10 June of the clubs participating in the AFC club competitions for the 2026/27 season, Kyoto Sanga F.C., who were originally scheduled to enter the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 from the Preliminary Stage, have now been confirmed to enter the competition from the League Stage.

【Qualified clubs】※Underlined text indicates the latest change.

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)

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

ACL Elite 2026/27 Indirect

Gamba Osaka
(ACL Two 2025/26 Champions)

ACL Two 2026/27 Direct

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

＊Kyoto Sanga F.C. will enter the competition from the League Stage.

-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)

Reference: AFC official website (10 June 2026)
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions.html/news/202627-line-ups-confirmed-for-afc-men%E2%80%99s-club-competitions