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2021 AFC Champions League#Qualifying play-off

{{Short description|40th edition of premier club football tournament organized by the AFC}}

{{Infobox international football competition

| tourney_name = AFC Champions League

| year = 2021

|image = King_Fahd_Int._Stadium-_Opening_Arabian_Gulf_Cup_2014.jpg

|caption = The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh hosted the final

| dates = Qualifying:
7–10 April 2021 (W)
23 June 2021 (E)
Competition proper:
{{nowrap|14 April – 23 November 2021}}

| num_teams = Competition: 40
Total: 49

| associations = 20

| champion_other = {{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Hilal

| count = 4

| second_other = {{fbaicon|KOR}} Pohang Steelers

| matches = 135

| goals = 379

| attendance = {{#expr: + 0 + 0 + 0 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 17200 + 2100 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 5442 + 0 + 3156 + 20477 + 14877 + 6869 + 989 + 23985 + 1370 + 50171}}

| top_scorer = {{flagicon|KEN}} Michael Olunga
(9 goals)

| player = {{flagicon|KSA}} Salem Al-Dawsari{{cite web |title=Al-Hilal reign in Asia after tale of two Al-Dawsaris in AFC Champions League triumph |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1974281/sport |website=Arab News |access-date=24 November 2021 |language=en |date=24 November 2021}}

| fair_play = {{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Hilal

| prevseason = 2020

| nextseason = 2022

| extra information = {{small|(Note: All statistics do not include qualifying play-offs)}}

|image_size=250px}}

The 2021 AFC Champions League was the 40th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 19th under the current AFC Champions League title.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/afc-champions-league-2021-competition-regulations|title=AFC Champions League 2021 Competition Regulations|website=the-afc.com|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|format=PDF}}

Al-Hilal won their fourth title by defeating Pohang Steelers 2–0 in the final, becoming the most successful team in the history of the competition. As winners, they automatically qualified for the 2022 AFC Champions League (although they had already qualified through their domestic performance).{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/more-member-associations-to-benefit-from-inclusive-afc-champions-league|title=More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=23 November 2019 |access-date=14 January 2020}} They also earned the right to play in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

The tournament was the first to involve 40 teams during the group stage, with an increase from the previous 32 teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/afc-to-invest-in-new-era-of-national-team-and-club-competitions|title=AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions|website=the-afc.com|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=26 October 2019|access-date=14 January 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205072528/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/afc-to-invest-in-new-era-of-national-team-and-club-competitions|url-status=dead}}

Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by fellow South Korean club Pohang Steelers.

Association team allocation

The 46 AFC member associations (excluding the Northern Mariana Islands, which became a full member in December 2020 and are not eligible for this season) are ranked based on their clubs' performance over the last four years in AFC competitions (their national team's FIFA World Rankings no longer considered).{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/afc/documents/PDFFiles/afc-club-competitions-ranking-mechanics|title=AFC Club Competitions Ranking Mechanics|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=1 February 2021}} The slots are allocated by the following criteria according to the Entry Manual:{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/entry-manual-for-afc-club-competitions-2021-edition|title=Entry Manual for AFC Club Competitions (2021 Edition)|website=the-afc.com|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=1 February 2021}}

  • The associations are split into two regions (Article 3.1):
  • West Region consists of the 25 associations from the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), and the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA).
  • East Region consists of the 21 associations from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF).
  • The AFC may reallocate one or more associations to another region if necessary for sporting reasons.
  • The top 12 associations in each region are eligible to enter the AFC Champions League.
  • In each region, there are five groups in the group stage, including 16 direct slots, with the 4 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 3.2). The slots in each region are distributed as follows:{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/more-member-associations-to-benefit-from-inclusive-afc-champions-league|title=More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=23 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-champions-league/1206286/four-thailand-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-2021-philippines-vietnam-singapore-also-get-group-stage-entry-malaysia-indonesia-myanmar-reports/|title=Four Thailand clubs in AFC Champions League 2021; Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore also get group stage entry – Reports|publisher=Fox Sports Asia|date=4 December 2019|access-date=26 January 2020|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206210137/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-champions-league/1206286/four-thailand-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-2021-philippines-vietnam-singapore-also-get-group-stage-entry-malaysia-indonesia-myanmar-reports/|url-status=dead}}
  • The associations ranked 1st and 2nd are each allocated three direct slots and one play-off slot.
  • The associations ranked 3rd and 4th are each allocated two direct slots and two play-off slots.
  • The associations ranked 5th are each allocated one direct slot and two play-off slots.
  • The associations ranked 6th are each allocated one direct slot and one play-off slot.
  • The associations ranked 7th to 10th are each allocated one direct slot.
  • The associations ranked 11th to 12th are each allocated one play-off slot.
  • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are each allocated one play-off slot should they not qualify for the tournament through domestic performance (Article 3.6). However, there are no AFC Cup title holders for this season as the 2020 AFC Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/afc-executive-committee-announces-updates-to-2020-competitions-calendar|title=AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar|publisher=AFC|date=10 September 2020|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005100450/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/afc-executive-committee-announces-updates-to-2020-competitions-calendar|url-status=dead}} The following rules are applied:
  • If the AFC Champions League title holders or AFC Cup title holders are from associations ranked 1st to 6th, their association is allocated the same number of play-off slots, and they replace the lowest-seeded team from their association. Otherwise, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and they do not replace any team from their association (Articles 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10).
  • If both the AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are from the same association which is allocated only one play-off slot, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and only the lowest-seeded team from their association is replaced as a result (Article 3.11).
  • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are the lowest-seeded teams in the qualifying play-offs if they do not replace any team from their association (Article 3.12).
  • If any association ranked 1st to 6th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have all their direct slots converted into play-off slots. The direct slots given up are redistributed to the highest eligible association by the following criteria (Articles 3.13 and 3.14):
  • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is four and the maximum number of direct slots is three (Articles 3.4 and 3.5).
  • If any association ranked 3rd to 6th is allocated one additional direct slot, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
  • If any association ranked 5th to 6th is allocated two additional direct slots, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
  • If any association ranked 7th to 10th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have their direct slot converted into play-off slot. The direct slot given up is redistributed to the next association ranked 11th or 12th, whose play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed, or if neither are eligible, the highest eligible association by the same criteria as mentioned above (Articles 3.16 and 3.17).
  • If any association with only play-off slot(s), including any association ranked 11th to 12th or those mentioned above, do not fulfill the minimum AFC Champions League criteria, the play-off slot(s) are annulled and not redistributed (Articles 3.19 and 3.20).
  • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is one-third of the total number of eligible teams (excluding foreign teams) in the top division (Article 3.4). If this rule is applied, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.10).
  • All participating teams must be granted an AFC Champions League license, and apart from cup winners, finish in the top half of their top division (Articles 7.1 and 9.5). If any association do not have enough teams which satisfy these criteria, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.9).
  • If any team granted a license refuses to participate, their slot, either direct or play-off, is annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.11).

=Association ranking=

For the 2021 AFC Champions League, the associations are allocated slots according to their association ranking which was published on 29 November 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/afc-ranking/|title=AFC Club Competitions Ranking|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation}}{{cite web|url=https://footyrankings.com/afc-ranking/crank2019/|title=AFC Country Ranking 2019|publisher=FootyRankings|date=24 November 2019|access-date=24 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609161839/https://footyrankings.com/afc-ranking/crank2019/|archive-date=9 June 2019|url-status=dead}} which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup during the period between 2016 and 2019.

class="wikitable"
bgcolor=#f7f8ff colspan=2|Participation for 2021 AFC Champions League{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/list-of-licensed-clubs-for-afc-champions-league-2021|title=List of Licensed Clubs for AFC Champions League 2021|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|format=PDF}}
bgcolor=#90ee77 width=20|Participating
bgcolor=#ffcccc width=20|Not participating

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+West Region (5 groups)
colspan=2 rowspan=2|Rank

!rowspan=3 width=200|Member
Association

!rowspan=3|Points

!colspan=4|Slots

rowspan=2|Group
stage

!colspan=2|Play-off

{{small|Region}}

!{{small|AFC}}

!{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}
round}}

!{{small|Prelim.
round}}

bgcolor=#90ee77

| 1

2align=left|{{fba|QAT}}

|97.644

310
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 2

4align=left|{{fba|KSA}}

|88.449

310
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 3

6align=left|{{fba|IRN}}

|81.724

310
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 4

7align=left|{{fba|UAE}}

|61.870

220
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 5

9align=left|{{fba|IRQ}}

|48.992

120
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 6

10align=left|{{fba|UZB}}

|45.562

110
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 7

12align=left|{{fba|JOR}}

|33.852

100
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 8

15align=left|{{fba|IND}}

|29.576

100
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 9

17align=left|{{fba|TJK}}

|28.361

100
bgcolor=ffcccc

|10

20align=left|{{fba|TKM}}{{Cref2|TKM}}

|26.532

000
bgcolor=ffcccc

|11

21align=left|{{fba|LBN}}{{Cref2|LBN}}

|24.746

000
bgcolor=ffcccc

|12

22align=left|{{fba|SYR}}{{Cref2|SYR}}

|22.505

000
colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total

!colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 9

!rowspan=2|16

80
colspan=2|8
colspan=3|24

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+East Region (5 groups)
colspan=2 rowspan=2|Rank

!rowspan=3 width=200|Member
Association

!rowspan=3|Points

!colspan=4|Slots

rowspan=2|Group
stage

!colspan=2|Play-off

{{small|Region}}

!{{small|AFC}}

!{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}
round}}

!{{small|Prelim.
round}}

bgcolor=#90ee77

| 1

1align=left|{{fba|CHN}}{{Cref2|CHN}}

|100.000

210
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 2

3align=left|{{fba|JPN}}

|93.321

400
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 3

5align=left|{{fba|KOR}}

|85.979

400
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 4

8align=left|{{fba|THA}}

|51.189

400
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 5

11align=left|{{fba|AUS}}{{Cref2|AUS}}

|40.896

012
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 6

13align=left|{{fba|PHI}}

|32.130

110
bgcolor=ffcccc

| 7

14align=left|{{fba|PRK}}{{Cref2|PRK}}

|30.100

000
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 8

16align=left|{{fba|VIE}}

|28.571

100
bgcolor=#90ee77

| 9

18align=left|{{fba|MAS}}

|26.960

100
bgcolor=#90ee77

|10

19align=left|{{fba|SIN}}

|26.607

100
bgcolor=#90ee77

|11

23align=left|{{fba|HKG}}

|19.945

100
bgcolor=90ee77

|12

27align=left|{{fba|MYA}}{{Cref2|MYA}}

|12.756

001
colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total

!colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 9

!rowspan=2|19

20
colspan=2|2
colspan=3|21

{{col-end}}

;Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}

{{Cnote2|TKM|Turkmenistan (TKM): The team from Turkmenistan granted an AFC Champions League license, Köpetdag, withdrew from the competition before the draw.}}

{{Cnote2|LBN|Lebanon (LBN): No teams from Lebanon were granted an AFC Champions League license.}}

{{Cnote2|SYR|Syria (SYR): No teams from Syria were granted an AFC Champions League license.}}

{{Cnote2|CHN|China (CHN): One of the four teams from China which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Jiangsu, withdrew from the competition after the draw.{{cite news |title=Latest update on AFC Champions League (East) |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-champions-league-east-x2809 |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|website=the-afc.com |date=18 March 2021}}}}

{{Cnote2|AUS|Australia (AUS): The three teams from Australia which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar, withdrew from the competition after the draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-champions-league|title=Latest update on AFC Champions League|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=4 June 2021}}}}

{{Cnote2|PRK|North Korea (PRK): No teams from North Korea were granted an AFC Champions League license.}}

{{Cnote2|MYA|Myanmar (MYA): The team from Myanmar which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Shan United, withdrew from the competition after the draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/latest-updates-on-afc-club-competitions|title=Latest updates on AFC Club Competitions|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=30 April 2021}}}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

Teams

In the following table, the number of appearances and last appearance count only those since the 2002–03 season (including qualifying rounds), when the competition was rebranded as the AFC Champions League.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+West Region

|+Group stage direct entrants (Groups A–E)

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|QAT}} Al-Duhail

|2019–20 Qatar Stars League champions

|10th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|QAT}} Al-Sadd

|2020 Emir of Qatar Cup winners
2019–20 Qatar Stars League third place

|16th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|QAT}} Al-Rayyan

|2019–20 Qatar Stars League runners-up

|11th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Hilal

|2019–20 Saudi Professional League champions and 2019–20 King Cup winners

|17th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Nassr

|2019–20 Saudi Professional League runners-up

|6th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Ahli

|2019–20 Saudi Professional League third place

|13th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|IRN}} Persepolis

|2019–20 Persian Gulf Pro League champions and 2020 Iranian Super Cup winners

|10th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|IRN}} Tractor

|2019–20 Hazfi Cup winners

|6th {{small|(2018)}}

{{fbaicon|IRN}} Esteghlal

|2019–20 Persian Gulf Pro League runners-up

|11th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|UAE}} Sharjah

|2018–19 UAE Pro League champions{{Cref2|Note UAE}}

|4th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|UAE}} Shabab Al-Ahli

|2018–19 UAE President's Cup winners{{Cref2|Note UAE}}
2018–19 UAE Pro League runners-up{{Cref2|Note UAE}}

|9th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|IRQ}} Al-Shorta

|2018–19 Iraqi Premier League champions{{Cref2|Note IRQ}}

|5th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|UZB}} Pakhtakor

|2020 Uzbekistan Super League champions and 2020 Uzbekistan Cup winners

|17th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|JOR}} Al-Wehdat

|2020 Jordanian Pro League champions

|6th {{small|(2019)}}

{{fbaicon|IND}} Goa

|2019–20 Indian Super League regular season premiers

|1st

{{fbaicon|TJK}} Istiklol

|2020 Tajikistan Higher League champions

|3rd {{small|(2020)}}

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+Qualifying play-off participants: Entering in play-off round

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|QAT}} Al-Gharafa

|2019–20 Qatar Stars League fourth place

|11th {{small|(2019)}}

{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Wehda

|2019–20 Saudi Professional League fourth place

|1st

{{fbaicon|IRN}} Foolad

|2019–20 Persian Gulf Pro League third place

|4th {{small|(2015)}}

{{fbaicon|UAE}} Al-Wahda

|2018–19 UAE Pro League third place{{Cref2|Note UAE}}

|12th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|UAE}} Al-Ain

|2018–19 UAE Pro League fourth place{{Cref2|Note UAE}}

|16th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|IRQ}} Al-Zawraa

|2018–19 Iraq FA Cup winners{{Cref2|Note IRQ}}

|6th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|IRQ}} Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya

|2018–19 Iraqi Premier League runners-up{{Cref2|Note IRQ}}

|5th {{small|(2019)}}

{{fbaicon|UZB}} AGMK

|2020 Uzbekistan Super League third place{{Cref2|Note UZB}}

|2nd {{small|(2019)}}

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+Withdrawn teams

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|TKM}} Köpetdag

|2020 Ýokary Liga fourth place{{Cref2|Note TKM}}

|1st

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+East Region

|+Group stage direct entrants (Groups F–J)

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|CHN}} Guangzhou

|2020 Chinese Super League runners-up{{Cref2|Note CHN}}

|10th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|CHN}} Beijing Guoan

|2020 Chinese Super League third place{{Cref2|Note CHN}}

|10th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|JPN}} Kawasaki Frontale

|2020 J1 League champions and 2020 Emperor's Cup winners

|8th {{small|(2019)}}

{{fbaicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka

|2020 J1 League runners-up

|10th {{small|(2017)}}

{{fbaicon|JPN}} Nagoya Grampus

|2020 J1 League third place

|4th {{small|(2012)}}

{{fbaicon|JPN}} Cerezo Osaka{{Cref2|Note RE2}}

|2020 J1 League fourth place

|4th {{small|(2018)}}

{{fbaicon|KOR}} Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

|2020 K League 1 champions and 2020 Korean FA Cup winners

|14th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|KOR}} Ulsan Hyundai{{Cref2|Note TH}}

|2020 K League 1 runners-up

|9th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|KOR}} Pohang Steelers{{Cref2|Note RE1}}

|2020 K League 1 third place

|8th {{small|(2016)}}

{{fbaicon|KOR}} Daegu FC{{Cref2|Note RE2}}

|2020 K League 1 fifth place{{Cref2|Note KOR}}

|2nd {{small|(2019)}}

{{fbaicon|THA}} BG Pathum United

|2020–21 Thai League 1 first place after first half of season{{Cref2|Note THA}}

|2nd {{small|(2015)}}

{{fbaicon|THA}} Port

|2020–21 Thai League 1 second place after first half of season{{Cref2|Note THA}}

|2nd {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|THA}} Chiangrai United{{Cref2|Note RE2}}

|2020–21 Thai League 1 third place after first half of season{{Cref2|Note THA}}

|4th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|THA}} Ratchaburi Mitr Phol{{Cref2|Note RE1}}

|2020–21 Thai League 1 fourth place after first half of season{{Cref2|Note THA}}

|1st

{{fbaicon|PHI}} United City

|2020 Philippines Football League champions

|4th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|VIE}} Viettel

|2020 V.League 1 champions

|1st

{{fbaicon|MAS}} Johor Darul Ta'zim

|2020 Malaysia Super League champions

|7th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|SGP}} Tampines Rovers

|2020 Singapore Premier League runners-up{{Cref2|Note SGP}}

|6th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|HKG}} Kitchee

|2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League champions

|6th {{small|(2019)}}

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+Qualifying play-off participants: Entering in play-off round

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|CHN}} Shanghai Port

|2020 Chinese Super League fourth place{{Cref2|Note CHN}}

|6th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|PHI}} Kaya–Iloilo{{Cref2|Note RE2}}

|2020 Philippines Football League runners-up{{Cref2|Note PHI}}

|1st

class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;"

|+Withdrawn teams

width=25%|Team

!width=60%|Qualifying method

!width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}}

{{fbaicon|CHN}} Jiangsu

|2020 Chinese Super League champions

|4th {{small|(2017)}}

{{fbaicon|AUS}} Sydney FC

|2019–20 A-League regular season premiers and 2020 A-League Grand Final winners

|7th {{small|(2020)}}

{{fbaicon|AUS}} Melbourne City

|2019–20 A-League regular season runners-up

|1st

{{fbaicon|AUS}} Brisbane Roar

|2019–20 A-League regular season fourth place{{Cref2|Note AUS}}

|6th {{small|(2018)}}

{{fbaicon|MYA}} Shan United

|2020 Myanmar National League champions

|3rd {{small|(2020)}}

{{col-end}}

;Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}

{{Cnote2|Note TH|Title holders (TH): Ulsan Hyundai were the title holders.}}

{{Cnote2|Note AUS|Australia (AUS): Wellington Phoenix, the 2019–20 A-League regular season third place, were a team from New Zealand and thus ineligible to represent Australia in AFC club competitions. As a result, Brisbane Roar, the regular season fourth place, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League as Australia 3.}}

{{Cnote2|Note CHN|China (CHN): On 8 February 2021, the AFC announced that Shandong Taishan, the 2020 Chinese FA Cup winners, had not satisfied the mandatory Criterion F.04 of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2016) concerning overdue payables, and their licence was withdrawn by the AFC's independent Entry Control Body, and thus were declared ineligible to participate in the 2021 AFC Champions League.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/media/latest-decision-by-afc-entry-control-body|title=Latest Decision by AFC Entry Control Body|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=8 February 2021}} As a result, Shanghai Port qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League, and Beijing Guoan entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-champions-league-east|title=Latest update on AFC Champions League (East)|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=25 February 2021}} On 28 February 2021, league champions Jiangsu announced its dissolution.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56226865|title=Jiangsu FC: Inter Milan owners close Chinese Super League champions |work=BBC Sport|date=28 February 2021|access-date=28 February 2021}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note IRQ|Iraq (IRQ): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, the 2019–20 Iraqi Premier League and the 2019–20 Iraq FA Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the Iraq Football Association. Originally a play-off was to be held to determine the teams from Iraq playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/iraqi-premier-league-called-off|title=Iraqi Premier League called off|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=4 June 2020}} However, it was later decided that the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 Iraqi Premier League and 2018–19 Iraq FA Cup) would be used.{{cite web|url=https://www.almadapaper.net/view.php?cat=228049|title=Vice-chairman of the Iraq FA normalisation committee Shamel Kamel in dialogue with Al-Mada Paper|publisher=Al-Mada Paper|date=1 July 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note KOR|South Korea (KOR): Sangju Sangmu, the 2020 K League 1 fourth place, are a military team and have confirmed that the team would move its franchise city in the 2021 season and would be relegated to K League 2 regardless of their final position in the 2020 season. As a result, Daegu FC, the 2020 K League 1 fifth place, qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.}}

{{Cnote2|Note PHI|Philippines (PHI): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the 2020 Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled and not organized by the Philippine Football Federation. The teams from the Philippines playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined only by the results of the 2020 Philippines Football League.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136 |access-date=28 May 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=28 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note RE1|Replacement 1 (RE1): Pohang Steelers and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs after Jiangsu ceased operation.{{cite news |title=Latest update on AFC Champions League (East) |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-champions-league-east-x2809 |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=AFC |date=18 March 2021}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note RE2|Replacement 2 (RE2): Australian teams Sydney FC, Melbourne City, and Brisbane Roar withdrew from the competition after the draw. Chiangrai United, Daegu FC, and Cerezo Osaka entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs and Kaya–Iloilo entered the qualifying play-offs instead of the preliminary round.}}

{{Cnote2|Note SGP|Singapore (SGP): Albirex Niigata (S), the 2020 Singapore Premier League champions, are a team from Japan and thus ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions. As a result, Tampines Rovers, the 2020 Singapore Premier League runners-up, qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.}}

{{Cnote2|Note THA|Thailand (THA): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, the Football Association of Thailand extended both the 2020 Thai League 1 and 2020 Thai FA Cup to be completed in 2021. The teams from Thailand playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined by the results of the 2020–21 Thai League 1 after the first half of the season (Round 15).{{cite web|url=http://fathailand.org/news/5238|title=บทสรุปการจัดการแข่งขันฟุตบอลลีกอาชีพ ไทยลีก 1 -2 ฤดูกาล 2563|publisher=Football Association of Thailand|date=21 April 2020|access-date=2 May 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114711/http://fathailand.org/news/5238|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/thai-league-1-teams-say-no-to-scrapping-results-of-first-four-games-75792.php|title=Thai League 1 teams say no to scrapping results of first four games|publisher=The Phuket News|date=22 April 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note TKM|Turkmenistan (TKM): Altyn Asyr, the 2020 Ýokary Liga champions, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, Köpetdag, the league fourth place and the best team granted an AFC Champions League license, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League as Turkmenistan 1.{{cite web|url=http://tff.com.tm/ru/news/%D0%BF%D1%8F%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BA%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%B2%D1%8B%D1%81%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B8-%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B0%D1%84%D0%BA|title=Пять клубов высшей лиги Туркменистана успешно прошли процесс лицензирование АФК|publisher=Türkmenistanyň Futbol Federasiýasy|access-date=2020-12-16|archive-date=2021-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507045633/http://tff.com.tm/ru/news/%D0%BF%D1%8F%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BA%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%B2%D1%8B%D1%81%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B8-%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B0%D1%84%D0%BA|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note UAE|United Arab Emirates (UAE): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, the 2019–20 UAE Pro League and the 2019–20 UAE President's Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the United Arab Emirates Football Association. The teams from the United Arab Emirates playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined by the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 UAE Pro League and 2018–19 UAE President's Cup).{{cite web|url=https://www.uaefa.ae/news/28505|title=قرارات الاجتماع الطارئ لمجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة|publisher=UAE Football Association|date=18 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/no-champions-declared-following-cancellation-of-uae-pro-league-2019-20-season|title=No champions declared following cancellation of UAE Pro League 2019-20 season|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=19 June 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note UZB| Uzbekistan (UZB): Nasaf, the 2020 Uzbekistan Super League runners-up, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, AGMK, the second best team granted an AFC Champions League license (2020 Uzbekistan Super League third place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.{{cite web|url=https://daryo.uz/2020/12/16/ofk-nasafga-ochlda-ishtirok-etish-huquqini-bermadi-qarshi-jamoasi-ofk-kubogida-ishtirok-mumkin/|title=OFK "Nasaf"ga OChLda ishtirok etish huquqini bermadi. Qarshi jamoasi OFK Kubogida ishtirok etishi mumkin|publisher=daryo.uz|date=16 December 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

{{Location map+|AFC|width=900|float=center|caption=Location of teams of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

8px Brown: Group A; 8px Red: Group B; 8px Orange: Group C; 8px Yellow: Group D; 8px Pink: Group E;
8px Green: Group F; 8px Blue: Group G; 8px Cyan: Group H; 8px Turquoise: Group I; 8px Purple: Group J;
8px Qualifying play-offs|places=

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=25.286667|long=51.533333|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Qatar}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.724150|long=46.262053|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Riyadh}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=21.543333|long=39.172778|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Ahli}}|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=21.4225|long=39.823333|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Wehda}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.689167|long=51.388889|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Tehran}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=38.066667|long=46.3|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Tractor}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=31.320278|long=48.669167|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Foolad}}|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=25.263056|long=55.297222|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|DSA Metropolitan}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.469386|long=54.373124|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Wahda}}|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.245033|long=55.714890|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Ain}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=33.311608|long=44.215820|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Baghdad}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=41.282513|long=69.139282|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Tashkent}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=31.949722|long=35.932778|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Wehdat}}|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=15.273611|long=73.958056|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Goa}} |mark=Pink pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=38.585800|long=68.767215|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Istiklol}}|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=23.140439|long=113.319297|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Guangzhou}}|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=39.931070|long=116.447228|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Beijing Guoan}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=31.223134|long=120.916289|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Shanghai Port}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.516667|long=139.7|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kawasaki Frontale}}|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=34.693889|long=135.502222|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Osaka}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.183333|long=136.9|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Nagoya Grampus}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.868123|long=127.062227|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Jeonbuk HM}}|mark=Cyan pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.55|long=129.316667|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Gyeongsang}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=14.020833|long=100.524722|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Bangkok}}|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}}

{{location map~|AFC|lat=19.956944|long=99.874722|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Chiangrai United}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=13.528889|long=99.814444|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Ratchaburi Mitr Phol}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=15.3456|long=120.5336|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|United City}}|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=10.72|long=122.57|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kaya–Iloilo}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}}

{{location map~|AFC|lat=21.028333|long=105.854167|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Viettel}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=1.765589|long=103.639526|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Johor Darul Ta'zim}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|AFC|lat=1.337806|long=103.692004|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Tampines Rovers}}|mark=Cyan pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{location map~|AFC|lat=22.455609|long=114.159954|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kitchee}}|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=-5 |long=55 |label_size=70 |label=

{{nowrap|Baghdad teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Al-Shorta

8px Al-Zawraa

8px Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya}}

{{nowrap|Tehran teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Persepolis

8px Esteghlal}}

{{nowrap|Qatar teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Al-Duhail

8px Al-Sadd

8px Al-Rayyan

8px Al-Gharafa}}

|position=right

}}

{{Location map~ |AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=-5 |long=70 |label_size=70 |label=

{{nowrap|Riyadh teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Al-Hilal}}

8px Al-Nassr

{{nowrap|Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman (DSA) Metropolitan teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Sharjah

8px Shabab Al-Ahli}}

{{nowrap|Tashkent teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Pakhtakor Tashkent

8px AGMK}}

|position=right

}}

{{Location map~ |AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=25 |long=135 |label_size=70 |label=

{{nowrap|Gyeongsang Province teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Ulsan Hyundai

8px Pohang Steelers

8px Daegu FC}}

{{nowrap|Osaka teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Gamba Osaka

8px Cerezo Osaka}}

{{nowrap|Greater Bangkok teams}}

{{nowrap|8px BG Pathum United

8px Port}}

|position=right

}}

}}

{{clear}}

Schedule

The schedule of the competition is as follows.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/afc-competitions-calendar-2021|title=AFC Competitions Calendar 2021|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=5 December 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/latest-update-on-the-afc-club-competitions-in-2021-and-2022|title=Latest update on the AFC Club Competitions in 2021 and 2022|website=the-afc.com|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=5 July 2021}}

On 25 January 2021, the AFC published the schedule of the competition. The group stage is played as centralized double round-robin tournament, and the round of 16 and quarter-finals are played as a single match.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/afc-club-competitions-group-stages-to-be-played-in-centralised-venues |title=AFC Club Competitions' Group Stages to be played in centralised venues|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=25 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/venues-for-afc-champions-league-2021-group-stage-revealed|title=Venues for AFC Champions League 2021 Group Stage revealed|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=11 March 2021}}

Notes:

  • W: West Region
  • E: East Region

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Stage

!Round

!Draw date

!Match date

Preliminary stage

|Preliminary round

|rowspan=2|No draw

|20 June 2021 (E)

Play-off stage

|Play-off round

|7–10 April 2021 (W), 23 June 2021 (E)

rowspan=6|Group stage

|Matchday 1

|rowspan=7|27 January 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/largest-ever-afc-club-competitions-cast-to-discover-opponents|title=Largest-ever AFC Club Competitions' cast to discover opponents|publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=22 January 2021}}

|14–15 April 2021 (W), 22–26 June 2021 (E)

Matchday 2

|17–18 April 2021 (W), 25–29 June 2021 (E)

Matchday 3

|20–21 April 2021 (W), 28 June – 2 July 2021 (E)

Matchday 4

|23–24 April 2021 (W), 1–5 July 2021 (E)

Matchday 5

|26–27 April 2021 (W), 4–8 July 2021 (E)

Matchday 6

|29–30 April 2021 (W), 7–11 July 2021 (E)

rowspan=4|Knockout stage

|Round of 16

|13–15 September 2021

Quarter-finals

|rowspan=3|17 September 2021

|16–17 October 2021

Semi-finals

|19–20 October 2021

Final

|colspan="2"|23 November 2021 at King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh

The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows.

class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center"

|+{{nowrap|Original schedule for 2021 AFC Champions League}}

Stage

!Round

!Draw date

!First leg

!Second leg

Preliminary stage

|Preliminary round

|rowspan=2|No draw

|colspan=2|26 January 2021

Play-off stage

|Play-off round

|colspan=2|2 February 2021

rowspan=6|Group stage

|Matchday 1

|rowspan=7|TBD

|colspan=2|15–16 February 2021 (W), 23–24 February 2021 (E)

Matchday 2

|colspan=2|22–23 February 2021 (W), 2–3 March 2021 (E)

Matchday 3

|colspan=2|8–9 March 2021 (W), 16–17 March 2021 (E)

Matchday 4

|colspan=2|5–7 April 2021

Matchday 5

|colspan=2|19–21 April 2021

Matchday 6

|colspan=2|3–5 May 2021

rowspan=4|Knockout stage

|Round of 16

|17–19 May 2021

|24–26 May 2021

Quarter-finals

|rowspan=3|TBD

|23–25 August 2021

|13–15 September 2021

Semi-finals

|28–29 September 2021

|19–20 October 2021

Final

|21 November 2021

|27 November 2021

Qualifying play-offs

{{main|2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs}}

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs|Format}}

=Preliminary round=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs|Preliminary round}}

=Play-off round=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs|Play-off round}}

Group stage

{{main|2021 AFC Champions League group stage}}

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League group stage|Draw}}

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League group stage|Format}}

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
Tiebreakers
{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League group stage|Tiebreakers}}

=Group A=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group A|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group B=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group B|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group C=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group C|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group D=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group D|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group E=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group E|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group F=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group F|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group G=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group G|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group H=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group H|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group I=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group I|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Group J=

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group J|teamwidth=240|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules

}}

=Ranking of second-placed teams=

==West Region==

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group runners-up (West Region)|teamwidth=200}}

==East Region==

{{2021 AFC Champions League group tables|Group runners-up (East Region)|teamwidth=200}}

Knockout stage

{{main|2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage}}

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Format}}

=Bracket=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Bracket}}

=Round of 16=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Round of 16}}

=Quarter-finals=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Quarter-finals}}

=Semi-finals=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Semi-finals}}

=Final=

{{#lst:2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Final}}

Top scorers

{{smalldiv|{{legend|silver|Team eliminated for this round.}}}}

{{smalldiv|{{legend|#DDDDDD|Player is not in the team but team still active for this round.}}}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

!Rank!!Player!!Team

!{{Tooltip|MD1|Group stage Matchday 1}}!!{{Tooltip|MD2|Group stage Matchday 2}}

!{{Tooltip|MD3|Group stage Matchday 3}}!!{{Tooltip|MD4|Group stage Matchday 4}}

!{{Tooltip|MD5|Group stage Matchday 5}}!!{{Tooltip|MD6|Group stage Matchday 6}}

!{{Tooltip|R16|Round of 16}}!!{{Tooltip|QF|Quarter-finals}}

!{{Tooltip|SF|Semi-finals}}!!{{Tooltip|F|Final}}!!Total

rowspan=1|1

|align=left|{{flagicon|KEN}} Michael Olunga

|align=left|{{fbaicon|QAT}} Al-Duhail

|1||1||3||2||1||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=4|

!rowspan=1|9

rowspan=1|2

|align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Gustavo

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KOR}} Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

|1|| ||4||1|| ||1||1|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2|

!rowspan=1|8

rowspan=5|3

|align=left|{{flagicon|GAM}} Modou Barrow

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KOR}} Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

| || ||3||1||1||1|| || ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2|

!rowspan=5|6

align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Edgar

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KOR}} Daegu FC

|

12111bgcolor="silver" colspan=3|
align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Leandro Damião

|align=left|{{fbaicon|JPN}} Kawasaki Frontale

|2

13bgcolor="silver" colspan=3|
align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Bafétimbi Gomis

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al Hilal

|

11112
align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Patric

|align=left|{{fbaicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka

|1

221bgcolor="silver" colspan=4|
rowspan=3|8

|align=left|{{flagicon|MLI}} Cheick Diabaté

|align=left|{{fbaicon|IRN}} Esteghlal

|1||1||1||1|| ||1|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3|

!rowspan=3|5

align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Cesinha

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KOR}} Daegu FC

|1

121bgcolor="silver" colspan=3|
align=left|{{flagicon|MAR}} Abderazak Hamdallah

|align=left|{{fbaicon|KSA}} Al-Nassr

|

11111bgcolor="silver"|

{{small|Note: Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs and matches voided by AFC are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4).}}

See also

Notes

{{reflist|group=note}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/}}
  • [http://stats.the-afc.com/tournaments/411 AFC Champions League 2021], stats.the-AFC.com

{{AFC Champions League seasons}}

{{2021 in Asian football (AFC)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afc Champions League 2021}}

1

Category:Association football events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic