2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs
The 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs will be played from 7 to 14 April 2021.[1] A total of 18 teams will compete in the qualifying play-offs to decide the remaining eight of the 40 places in the group stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League.[2]
Teams
The following 18 teams, split into two regions (West Region and East Region), will enter the qualifying play-offs, consisting of two rounds:
- 4 teams enter in the preliminary round.
- 14 teams enter in the play-off round.
| Region | Teams entering in play-off round | Teams entering in preliminary round |
|---|---|---|
| West Region | ||
| East Region |
Format
In the qualifying play-offs, each tie will be played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner if necessary.[2]
Schedule
The schedule of each round is as follows.[1][3][4]
| Round | West Region | East Region |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round | Not played | 7 April 2021 |
| Play-off round | 7 April 2021 | 14 April 2021 |
Bracket
The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined based on each team's association ranking and their seeding within their association, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The eight winners of the play-off round (four each from both West Region and East Region) will advance to the group stage to join the 32 direct entrants.[5]
Play-off East 1
- Winners will advance to Group F.
| Preliminary round | Play-off round | |||||
| 14 April | ||||||
 Shanghai Port | ||||||
| 7 April | ||||||
 Winners of East 1.1 | ||||||
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Brisbane Roar | ||||||
 Kaya–Iloilo | ||||||
Play-off East 2
- Winners will advance to Group J.
| Preliminary round | Play-off round | |||||
| 14 April | ||||||
 Cerezo Osaka | ||||||
| 7 April | ||||||
| Winners of East 1.2 | ||||||
| Melbourne City | ||||||
 Shan United | ||||||
Play-off East 3
- Winners will advance to Group G.
| Play-off round | ||
| 14 April | ||
 Pohang Steelers | ||
 Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
| ||
Preliminary round
Summary
A total of four teams will play in the preliminary round.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Roar |
7 Apr (East 1.1) | Kaya–Iloilo |
| Melbourne City |
7 Apr (East 1.2) | Shan United |
Play-off round
Summary
A total of 16 teams will play in the preliminary round 2: 14 teams which enter in this round, and two winners of the preliminary round.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
Al-Gharafa  |
7 Apr (West 2.1) |  AGMK |
Al-Wehda  |
7 Apr (West 2.2) |  Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
Foolad  |
7 Apr (West 2.3) |  Al-Ain |
| Al-Wahda |
7 Apr (West 2.4) | Al-Zawraa |
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Port |
14 Apr (East 2.1) | Winners of East 1.1 |
| Cerezo Osaka |
14 Apr (East 2.2) | Winners of East 1.2 |
| Pohang Steelers |
14 Apr (East 2.3) | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol |
| Daegu FC |
14 Apr (East 2.4) | Chiangrai United |
Notes
References
- "AFC Competitions Calendar 2021". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 December 2019.
- "AFC Champions League 2021 Competition Regulations" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation.
- "AFC Club Competitions' Group Stages to be played in centralised venues". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2021.
- "2021 AFC Champions League Preliminary & Playoff stage match schedule". AFC.
- "ACL 2021 Draw Mechanism". youtube.com. AFC. 26 January 2021.