AFC Announces Women’s ACL Participants: Wuhan Women’s Football Club Advances to the Main Tournament as Host of Its Group

On June 14, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) released the list of teams participating in the Women’s AFC Champions League on its official website. The Wuhan Women’s Football Club from China’s Women’s Super League was included and directly qualified for the main tournament, subsequently being named the host team of its group following the draw.

After the restructuring of Asian club competitions, the inaugural Women’s AFC Champions League will be held this year. The top eight leagues in Asia will have their teams advance directly to the main event, which consists of 12 teams divided into three groups of four teams each. The group stage matches are scheduled for October 6-12.

The remaining 14 teams will compete in preliminary rounds to determine four spots in the main tournament. Two groups will have four teams, and two groups will have three teams, with the group winners advancing. The preliminary rounds will take place from August 25 to 31.

Preparatory round matches will be hosted by clubs from Jordan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand, while clubs from China and Vietnam will host the group stage matches of the main tournament. The remaining host for one group will be decided after the draw.

The women’s leagues from Japan, North Korea, Australia, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Chinese Taipei rank within Asia’s top eight. Participating teams include Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, Wuhan Women’s Football Club from the Women’s Super League, Melbourne City from Australia, and Hyundai Women from South Korea.

The draw for the preliminary rounds and the group stage will be held on July 18. The knockout stages will be held in the following year, with the quarterfinals scheduled for March 22-23, 2025, and the semifinals and final taking place from May 21-24, 2025.