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:
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]
Al-Gharafa
AGMK
Al-Wehda
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Foolad
Al-Ain
Beijing Guoan
Winners of East 1.1
Brisbane Roar
Kaya–Iloilo
Cerezo Osaka
Shan United
Pohang Steelers
Ratchaburi Mitr Phol