All 12 teams confirmed for AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 after preliminary stage

All 12 participants for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 were finalised on Sunday (23rd August) after the preliminary stage concluded, with six clubs advancing via qualification to join six direct entrants.

Six teams received direct entry into the AWCL group stage while six more earned places by topping their preliminary groups. The direct entrants are defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC, Melbourne City FC, Hwacheon KSPO WFC, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Beijing Jingtan FC and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC. The tournament organisers allocated these direct slots without those clubs contesting qualification matches.

The Preliminary Stage was organised into six groups, with only the winner of each group advancing to the 12-team group stage. Those six group winners completed the tournament field by claiming the remaining places available through qualification.

IWL champions East Bengal FC topped Group A to secure their spot, finishing the mini-league with a perfect record of three wins, including a 2-0 victory over Malaysian side Sabah FA, and nine points. East Bengal’s Group A success delivered one of the six qualification berths from the preliminary round.

Kaya FC-Iloilo progressed from Group B, advancing on goal difference after finishing level on points with TSL FC. The Group B outcome meant Kaya joined the other preliminary winners in the AWCL group stage despite the points tie.

PFC Nasaf qualified by winning Group C, using home advantage to finish as group winners and claim a place in the 12-team lineup. From Group D, DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC also secured qualification, becoming the second club from their country to enter this edition’s continental competition.

Bam Khatoon FC and Ayeyawady FC-Women completed the set of preliminary winners by topping Group E and Group F respectively, each earning a group-stage berth alongside the other qualified sides.

The group stage draw for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 is scheduled for September 3rd, and the tournament is set to begin on November 1st.