{{Short description|Association football tournament}} {{Infobox international football competition | tourney_name = AFC Cup | year = 2021 | dates = ''Qualifying:''<br />{{nowrap|7 April – 15 August}}<br />''Competition proper:''<br />{{nowrap|14 May – 5 November}} | num_teams = ''Group stage:'' 38 (originally) <br />''Total:'' 43 | associations = 27 | champion_other = {{nowrap|{{fbaicon|BHR}} [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]]}} | count = 2 | second_other = {{fbaicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] | matches = 43 | goals = 138 | attendance = {{#expr: <!--Group F-->+ 800 + 4100 + 400 + 2500 + 750 + 4300 <!--Group J-->+ 183 + 2326 + 1004 + 2107 + 1621 + 945 <!--Zonal semi-finals-->+ 6500 + 5021 <!--Zonal finals-->+ 8250 + 54 <!--Inter-zone play-off semi-finals-->+ 5865 <!--Inter-zone play-off finals-->+ 9890 <!--Final-->+ 9060}} | top_scorer = {{flagicon|UZB}} [[Khusayin Norchaev]]<br>(7 goals)<ref>{{cite web |title=Nasaf's Norchaev wins 2021 AFC Cup Top Scorer award |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/news/2021_afc_cup_top_scorer.html |website=the-afc.com |access-date=6 November 2021 |date=5 November 2021}}</ref> | player = {{flagicon|BHR}} [[Abdulwahab Al-Malood]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Muharraq's Abdulwahab Al Maloud named 2021 AFC Cup MVP |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/news/2021_afc_cup_final_mvp_.html |website=the-afc.com |access-date=6 November 2021 |date=5 November 2021}}</ref> | prevseason = [[2020 AFC Cup|2020]] | nextseason = [[2022 AFC Cup|2022]] | extra information = {{small|(Note: All statistics do not include qualifying play-offs)}} }}
The '''2021 AFC Cup''' was the 18th edition of the [[AFC Cup]], [[Asia]]'s secondary club [[association football|football]] tournament organized by the [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC).<ref name="regulations">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/afc-cup-2021-competition-regulations-x9593|title=AFC Cup 2021 Competition Regulations|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|format=PDF}}</ref>
The winners of the tournament automatically qualified for the [[2022 AFC Champions League]], entering the qualifying play-offs, if they had not qualified through their domestic performance.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Lebanese club [[Al Ahed FC|Al-Ahed]], having won their first AFC Cup title in [[2019 AFC Cup|2019]], were the title holders, since the [[2020 AFC Cup|2020 edition]] was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Asia]] after several group stage matches and the title was not awarded. However, Al-Ahed were eliminated by the eventual winners [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]] in the West Asia Zonal semi-finals.
==Association team allocation== The 46 [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] member associations (excluding the [[Northern Mariana Islands Football Association|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).<ref>{{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}}</ref> The slots are allocated by the following criteria according to the Entry Manual:<ref>{{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}}</ref> *The associations are split into five zones (Article 5.1): **'''West Asia Zone''' consists of the 12 associations from the [[West Asian Football Federation]] (WAFF). **'''South Asia Zone''' consists of the 7 associations from the [[South Asian Football Federation]] (SAFF). **'''Central Asia Zone''' consists of the 6 associations from [[Central Asian Football Association]] (CAFA). **'''ASEAN Zone''' consists of the 12 associations from the [[ASEAN Football Federation]] (AFF). **'''East Asia Zone''' consists of the 9 associations from the [[East Asian Football Federation]] (EAFF). **The AFC may reallocate one or more associations to another zone if necessary for sporting reasons. *Excluding the top five associations in each region for AFC Champions League slot allocation, all other associations are eligible to enter the AFC Cup. *The teams from associations ranked 6th, 11th and 12th which are eliminated in the AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs enter the AFC Cup group stage (Article 3.2). The following rules are applied: **The associations ranked 6th in both the West Region and the East Region, while allocated one direct slot in the AFC Cup group stage without taking away any direct slot from other associations, are not ranked in each zone for AFC Cup slot allocation (Article 5.3).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pfl.uz/uz/news/detail/12218|title=2021-2022 йилги ОЧЛ ва ОФК кубоги мусобақалари учун йўлланмалар тақсимоти эълон қилинди|publisher=Uzbekistan Professional Football League|date=29 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027181308/https://www.pfl.uz/uz/news/detail/12218|url-status=dead}}</ref> **If they advance to the AFC Champions League group stage, the AFC Cup group stage slot is filled by the standby team from their association if such team are available (Article 5.12). **The rules above do not apply to the AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders which are allocated AFC Champions League play-off slots should they not qualify for the tournament through domestic performance. *In the West Asia Zone and the ASEAN Zone, there are three groups in the group stage, including 9 direct slots, with the 3 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 5.2). The slots in each zone are distributed as follows: **The associations ranked 1st to 3rd are each allocated two direct slots. **The associations ranked 4th to 6th are each allocated one direct slot and one play-off slot. **The associations ranked 7th or below are each allocated get one play-off slot. **If any zone has an association ranked 6th for AFC Champions League slot allocation, which is allocated one direct slot in the AFC Cup group stage, there are 10 direct slots, with the 2 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs. *In the South Asia Zone, the Central Asia Zone, and the East Asia Zone, there is one group in the group stage, including 3 direct slots, with the 1 remaining slot filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 5.2). The slots in each zone are distributed as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fft.tj/ofitsialno-chempion-tadzhikistana-2020-vystupit-v-gruppovom-etape-ligi-chempionov-afk-2021/|title=ОФИЦИАЛЬНО: ЧЕМПИОН ТАДЖИКИСТАНА-2020 ВЫСТУПИТ В ГРУППОВОМ ЭТАПЕ ЛИГИ ЧЕМПИОНОВ АФК-2021!|publisher=Tajikistan Football Federation|date=9 December 2019}}</ref> **The associations ranked 1st to 3rd are each allocated one direct slot and one play-off slot. **The associations ranked 4th or below are each allocated one play-off slot. **If any zone has an association ranked 6th for AFC Champions League slot allocation, which is allocated one direct slot in the AFC Cup group stage, there are 4 direct slots, and to ensure equal opportunity in each zone, another group is added to this zone in the group stage, with the 4 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 5.4.1). **If any zone has at least 7 play-off slots, to ensure equal opportunity in each zone, another group is added to this zone in the group stage, with the 5 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 5.4.2). *If any association with direct slots do not fulfill any one of the AFC Cup 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 5.7 and 5.8): **For each association, the maximum number of total slots is two (Articles 3.4 and 3.5). **If any association is allocated one additional direct slot, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed. *If any association with only play-off slot(s), including those mentioned above, do not fulfill the minimum AFC Cup criteria, the play-off slot(s) are annulled and not redistributed (Articles 5.10 and 5.11). *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 5.6). 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 or AFC Cup 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 Cup, the associations are allocated slots according to their [[AFC Club Competitions Ranking#Format|association ranking]] which was published on 29 November 2019,<ref name="ranking">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/afc-ranking/|title=AFC Club Competitions Ranking|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://footyrankings.com/afc-ranking/crank2019/|title=AFC Country Ranking 2019|publisher=FootyRankings|date=24 November 2019|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609161839/https://footyrankings.com/afc-ranking/crank2019/|archive-date=9 June 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup during the period between 2016 and 2019.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |- !bgcolor=#f7f8ff colspan=2|Participation for 2021 AFC Cup<ref name="acl-license">{{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|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="acc-license">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/list-of-licensed-clubs-for-afc-cup-2021|title=List of Licensed Clubs for AFC Cup 2021|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|format=PDF}}</ref> |- |bgcolor=#90ee77 width=20| ||Participating |- |bgcolor=#ffcccc width=20| ||Not participating |- |align=center width=20| <s>(N)</s> || Number of teams/associations originally entered, before withdrawal of teams from the competition after the draw |}
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |+West Asia Zone (3 groups) |- !colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[AFC Club Competitions Ranking|Rank]] !rowspan=3 width=200|Member<br />Association !rowspan=3|Points<ref name="ranking"/> !colspan=5|Slots |- !rowspan=2|Group<br />stage !colspan=4|Play-off |- !{{small|Zone}} !{{small|AFC}} !{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}<br />round}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 2}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 1}} |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 1||12||align=left|{{fba|JOR}} |33.852||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 2||21||align=left|{{fba|LBN}} |24.746||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 3||22||align=left|{{fba|SYR|1980}}{{Cref2|SYR}} |22.505||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 4||24||align=left|{{fba|BHR}} |17.749||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 5||29||align=left|{{fba|OMA}}{{Cref2|OMA}} | 8.531||0 <s>(2)</s>||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 6||30||align=left|{{fba|PLE}} | 7.297||2 <s>(1)</s>||0 <s>(1)</s>||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 7||34||align=left|{{fba|KUW}} | 4.711||1 <s>(0)</s>||0 <s>(1)</s>||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 8||42||align=left|{{fba|YEM}}{{Cref2|YEM}} | 0.000||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 6 <s>(7)</s> !rowspan=2|11!!0 <s>(2)</s>||0||0 |- !colspan=3|0 <s>(2)</s> |- !colspan=4|11 <s>(13)</s> |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |+South Asia Zone (1 group) |- !colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[AFC Club Competitions Ranking|Rank]] !rowspan=3 width=200|Member<br />Association !rowspan=3|Points<ref name="ranking"/> !colspan=5|Slots |- !rowspan=2|Group<br />stage !colspan=4|Play-off |- !{{small|Zone}} !{{small|AFC}} !{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}<br />round}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 2}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 1}} |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 1||15||align=left|{{fba|IND}} |29.576||1||0||1||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 2||25||align=left|{{fba|BAN}}{{Cref2|BAN}} |14.683||1||0||0 <s>(1)</s>||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 3||26||align=left|{{fba|MDV}} |13.632||1||0||0||1 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 4||36||align=left|{{fba|NEP}} | 0.915||0||0||0||1 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 5||37||align=left|{{fba|SRI}} | 0.618||0||0||0||1 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 6||38||align=left|{{fba|BHU}} | 0.549||0||0||0||1 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 7||42||align=left|{{fba|PAK}}{{Cref2|PAK}} | 0.000||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 6 !rowspan=2|3!!0!!1 <s>(2)</s>!!4 |- !colspan=3|5 <s>(6)</s> |- !colspan=4|8 <s>(9)</s> |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |+Central Asia Zone (2 groups) |- !colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[AFC Club Competitions Ranking|Rank]] !rowspan=3 width=200|Member<br />Association !rowspan=3|Points<ref name="ranking"/> !colspan=5|Slots |- !rowspan=2|Group<br />stage !colspan=4|Play-off |- !{{small|Zone}} !{{small|AFC}} !{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}<br />round}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 2}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 1}} |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 1||10||align=left|{{fba|UZB}}{{Cref2|UZB}} |45.562||1||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 2||17||align=left|{{fba|TJK}} |28.361||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 3||20||align=left|{{fba|TKM}} |26.532||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 4||33||align=left|{{fba|KGZ}} | 5.466||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 5||41||align=left|{{fba|AFG|2013}}{{Cref2|AFG}} | 0.206||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 4 !rowspan=2|7!!0||0||0 |- !colspan=3|0 |- !colspan=4|7 |} {{col-2}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |+ASEAN Zone (3 groups):<br>Final allocated slots before Zone was cancelled |- !colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[AFC Club Competitions Ranking|Rank]] !rowspan=3 width=200|Member<br />Association !rowspan=3|Points<ref name="ranking"/> !colspan=5|Slots |- !rowspan=2|Group<br />stage !colspan=4|Play-off |- !{{small|Zone}} !{{small|AFC}} !{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}<br />round}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 2}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 1}} |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 1||13||align=left|{{fba|PHI}}{{Cref2|PHI}} |32.130||0 <s>(1)</s>||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 2||16||align=left|{{fba|VIE}} |28.571||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 3||18||align=left|{{fba|MAS}} |26.960||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 4||19||align=left|{{fba|SIN}} |26.607||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 5||27||align=left|{{fba|MYA}}{{Cref2|MYA}} |12.756||0 <s>(1)</s>||0 <s>(1)</s>||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 6||28||align=left|{{fba|IDN}} |12.550||2 <s>(1)</s>||0 <s>(1)</s>||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 7||31||align=left|{{fba|CAM}} | 6.770||2 <s>(1)</s>||0||0 <s>(1)</s>||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 8||35||align=left|{{fba|LAO}} | 2.241||0||0||1||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 9||42||align=left|{{fba|BRU}} | 0.000||0||0||1||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 |10||42||align=left|{{fba|TLS}} | 0.000||1 <s>(0)</s>||0||0 <s>(1)</s>||0 |- !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 9 <s>(10)</s> !rowspan=2|11 <s>(10)</s>!!0 <s>(2)</s>!!2 <s>(4)</s>||0 |- !colspan=3|2 <s>(6)</s> |- !colspan=4|13 <s>(16)</s> |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |+East Asia Zone (1 group) |- !colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[AFC Club Competitions Ranking|Rank]] !rowspan=3 width=200|Member<br />Association !rowspan=3|Points<ref name="ranking"/> !colspan=5|Slots |- !rowspan=2|Group<br />stage !colspan=4|Play-off |- !{{small|Zone}} !{{small|AFC}} !{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}<br />round}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 2}} !{{small|Prelim.<br />round 1}} |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 1||14||align=left|{{fba|PRK}}{{Cref2|PRK}} |30.100||0||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 2||23||align=left|{{fba|HKG}} |19.945||2||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 3||32||align=left|{{fba|MAC}}{{Cref2|MAC}} | 5.489||0||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 4||39||align=left|{{fba|TPE}} | 0.457||1||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#90ee77 | 5||40||align=left|{{fba|MNG}} | 0.274||1||0||0||0 |-bgcolor=#ffcccc | 6||42||align=left|{{fba|GUM}}{{Cref2|GUM}} | 0.000||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Total !colspan=2 rowspan=3|Participating associations: 3 !rowspan=2|4!!0!!0||0 |- !colspan=3|0 |- !colspan=4|4 |} {{col-end}}
;Notes {{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc|2}} {{Cnote2|AFG|'''Afghanistan (AFG):''' No teams from Afghanistan were granted an AFC Cup license.<ref name="acc-license"/>}} {{Cnote2|BAN|'''Bangladesh (BAN):''' One of the two teams from Bangladesh which originally entered the AFC Cup, [[Abahani Limited Dhaka]], withdrew from the competition after the draw.<ref name="AFC 20210430"/>}} {{Cnote2|GUM|'''Guam (GUM):''' No teams from Guam were granted an AFC Cup license.<ref name="acc-license"/>}} {{Cnote2|MAC|'''Macau (MAC):''' The two teams from Macau granted an AFC Cup license, [[S.L. Benfica de Macau|Benfica de Macau]] and [[Chao Pak Kei]], withdrew from the competition before the draw.<ref name="acc-license"/><ref name="group-j">{{cite web|url=https://www.hkfa.com/news_details2/18131|title=Latest Updates on AFC cup 2021|publisher=Hong Kong Football Association|date=26 January 2021}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|MYA|'''Myanmar (MYA):''' The two teams from Myanmar which originally entered the AFC Cup, [[Shan United F.C.|Shan United]] and [[Hanthawaddy United F.C.|Hanthawaddy United]], withdrew from the competition after the draw.<ref name="AFC 20210430"/>}} {{Cnote2|PRK|'''North Korea (PRK):''' No teams from North Korea were granted an AFC Cup license.<ref name="acc-license"/>}} {{Cnote2|OMA|'''Oman (OMA):''' The two teams from Oman which originally entered the AFC Cup, [[Al-Seeb Club|Al-Seeb]] and [[Al-Nasr SC (Salalah)|Al-Nasr]], withdrew from the competition after the draw.<ref name="AFC 20210423w"/>}} {{Cnote2|PAK|'''Pakistan (PAK):''' No teams from Pakistan were granted an AFC Cup license.<ref name="acc-license"/>}} {{Cnote2|PHI|'''Philippines (PHI):''' Philippines were ranked 6th in the East Region for AFC Champions League allocation, and thus were allocated one direct slot in the AFC Cup group stage without taking away any direct slot from other associations. Since [[Kaya F.C.–Iloilo]] qualified to the 2021 AFC Champions League through the play-off and no standby club to replace them, Philippines did not participate in the AFC Cup.<ref name="groupI-update-PH">{{cite news |title=Latest update on AFC Cup Group I {{!}} Football {{!}} News {{!}} AFC Cup 2021 |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-cup-group-i |access-date=8 July 2021 |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=6 July 2021}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|SYR|'''Syria (SYR):''' No teams from Syria were initially granted an AFC Cup license,<ref name="acc-license"/> but [[Tishreen SC|Tishreen]] and [[Al-Wahda SC (Syria)|Al-Wahda]] were successful in their appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/documents/list-of-the-afc-ecb-decision-26-january-2021|title=1st AFC Entry Control Body Meeting on 26 January 2021|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=26 January 2021}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|UZB|'''Uzbekistan (UZB):''' Uzbekistan were ranked 6th in the West Region for AFC Champions League allocation, and thus were allocated one direct slot in the AFC Cup group stage without taking away any direct slot from other associations.}} {{Cnote2|YEM|'''Yemen (YEM):''' No teams from Yemen were granted an AFC Cup license.<ref name="acc-license"/>}} {{Cnote2 End}}
==Teams== Teams in ''italics'' will play in the [[2021 AFC Champions League#Qualifying play-offs|AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs]], and will play in the AFC Cup group stage if they fail to advance to the AFC Champions League group stage. Should they advance to the AFC Champions League group stage, they will not play in the AFC Cup, and will be replaced by the standby team from their association if such team are available.
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+West Asia Zone |+[[#Group stage|Group stage]] direct entrants (Groups A–C) |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|JOR}} [[Al-Salt SC|Al-Salt]] |[[2020 Jordanian Pro League]] fourth place{{cref2|Note JOR}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|JOR}} [[Al-Faisaly SC (Amman)|Al-Faisaly]] |[[2020 Jordanian Pro League]] fifth place{{cref2|Note JOR}} |11th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|LBN}} [[Al Ahed FC|Al-Ahed]]{{Cref2|Note TH}} |[[2018–19 Lebanese Premier League]] champions and [[2018–19 Lebanese FA Cup]] winners{{Cref2|Note LBN}} |11th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|LBN}} [[Al Ansar FC|Al-Ansar]] |[[2018–19 Lebanese Premier League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note LBN}} |7th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{flagicon|SYR|1980}} [[Tishreen SC|Tishreen]] |[[2019–20 Syrian Premier League]] champions |1st |- |{{flagicon|SYR|1980}} [[Al-Wahda SC (Syria)|Al-Wahda]] |[[2019–20 Syrian Cup]] winners |8th {{small|([[2018 AFC Cup|2018]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|BHR}} [[Hidd SCC|Al-Hidd]] |[[2019–20 Bahraini Premier League]] champions |5th {{small|([[2017 AFC Cup|2017]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|BHR}} [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]] |[[2019–20 Bahraini King's Cup]] winners |7th {{small|([[2017 AFC Cup|2017]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|PLE}} [[Markaz Balata]] |[[2019–20 West Bank Premier League]] champions |1st |- |{{fbaicon|PLE}} [[Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari]]{{Cref2|Note WAZ}} |[[2019–20 West Bank Premier League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note PLE}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|KUW}} [[Kuwait SC|Al-Kuwait]]{{Cref2|Note WAZ}} |[[2019–20 Kuwaiti Premier League]] champions |10th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+Withdrawn teams{{Cref2|Note WAZ}} |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. |- |{{fbaicon|OMA}} [[Al-Seeb Club|Al-Seeb]] |[[2019–20 Oman Professional League]] champions |''N/A'' |- |{{fbaicon|OMA}} [[Al-Nasr SC (Salalah)|Al-Nasr]] |[[2019–20 Oman Professional League]] fifth place{{Cref2|Note OMA}} |''N/A'' |} <br /> {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+South Asia Zone |+[[#Group stage|Group stage]] direct entrants (Group D) |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|IND}} [[Mohun Bagan SG|ATK Mohun Bagan]] |[[2019–20 I-League]] champions{{Cref2|Note IND}} |5th {{small|([[2017 AFC Cup|2017]])}}<ref>{{cite web |title=can the class of 2021 follow the footsteps of the great Mariners from 1988-89 and 2016?|url= https://www.instagram.com/p/CS81sBUJm1G/|website=instagram (mohun bagan)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Cup 2021: Mohun Bagan to Mohun Bagan - How have the Mariners performed in Asia?|url= https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/afc-cup-2021-mohun-bagan-asian-club-competitions/5fueu8620wf11t79yamc881n1|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> |- |{{fbaicon|BAN}} [[Bashundhara Kings]] |[[2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League (football)|2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League]] champions{{Cref2|Note BAN}} and [[2019–20 Bangladesh Federation Cup]] winners |2nd {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|MDV}} [[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]] |[[2019–20 Dhivehi Premier League]] champions |7th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+[[#Qualifying play-offs|Qualifying play-off]] participants: Entering in [[#Preliminary round 2|preliminary round 2]] |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|IND}} [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] |[[2019–20 Indian Super League#Regular season|2019–20 Indian Super League regular season]] third place{{Cref2|Note IND}} |6th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+[[#Qualifying play-offs|Qualifying play-off]] participants: Entering in [[#Preliminary round 1|preliminary round 1]] |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|MDV}} [[Club Eagles|Eagles]] |[[2019–20 Dhivehi Premier League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note MDV}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|NEP}} [[Nepal Army F.C.|Nepal Army]] |[[2019–20 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note NEP}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|SRI}} [[Sri Lanka Police SC (football)|Sri Lanka Police]] |[[2019–20 Sri Lanka FA Cup]] winners{{Cref2|Note SRI}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|BHU}} [[Thimphu City FC|Thimphu City]] |[[2020 Bhutan Premier League#Premier League|2020 Bhutan Premier League]] champions |2nd {{small|([[2017 AFC Cup|2017]])}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+Withdrawn teams{{Cref2|Note SAZ}} |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. |- |{{fbaicon|BAN}} [[Abahani Limited Dhaka]] |[[2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League (football)|2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note BAN}} |''N/A'' |} <br /> {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+Central Asia Zone |+[[#Group stage|Group stage]] direct entrants (Groups E–F) |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] |[[2020 Uzbekistan Super League]] runners-up{{cref2|Note UZB}} |3rd {{small|([[2011 AFC Cup|2011]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|TJK}} [[Ravshan Kulob]] |[[2020 Tajikistan Cup]] winners |3rd {{small|([[2014 AFC Cup|2014]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|TJK}} [[FK Khujand|Khujand]] |[[2020 Tajikistan Higher League]] runners-up |5th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|TKM}} [[Altyn Asyr FK|Altyn Asyr]] |[[2020 Ýokary Liga]] champions{{Cref2|Note TKM}} and [[2020 Turkmenistan Cup]] winners |7th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|TKM}} [[Ahal FK|Ahal]] |[[2020 Ýokary Liga]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note TKM}} |4th {{small|([[2019 AFC Cup|2019]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|KGZ}} [[FC Dordoi Bishkek|Dordoi]] |[[2020 Kyrgyz Premier League]] champions |6th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|KGZ}} [[FC Alay|Alay]] |[[2020 Kyrgyzstan Cup]] winners |6th {{small|([[2019 AFC Cup|2019]])}} |} {{col-2}} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+ASEAN Zone (cancelled) |+[[#Group stage|Group stage]] direct entrants (Groups G–I) |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|VIE}} [[Hanoi FC|Hanoi]] |[[2020 Vietnamese Cup]] winners<br />[[2020 V.League 1]] runners-up |5th {{small|([[2019 AFC Cup|2019]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|VIE}} [[Saigon FC|Saigon]] |[[2020 V.League 1]] third place |1st |- |{{fbaicon|MAS}} [[Kedah Darul Aman F.C.|Kedah Darul Aman]] |[[2020 Malaysia Super League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note MAS}} |3rd {{small|([[2009 AFC Cup|2009]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|MAS}} [[Terengganu FC|Terengganu]] |[[2020 Malaysia Super League]] third place{{Cref2|Note MAS}} |2nd {{small|([[2012 AFC Cup|2012]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|SIN}} [[Lion City Sailors FC|Lion City Sailors]] |[[2020 Singapore Premier League]] third place{{Cref2|Note SIN}} |11th {{small|([[2019 AFC Cup|2019]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|SIN}} [[Geylang International FC|Geylang International]] |[[2020 Singapore Premier League]] fourth place{{Cref2|Note SIN}} |3rd {{small|([[2010 AFC Cup|2010]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|IDN}} [[Bali United F.C.|Bali United]] |[[2019 Liga 1 (Indonesia)|2019 Liga 1]] champions{{Cref2|Note IDN}} |3rd {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|IDN}} [[Persipura Jayapura]]{{Cref2|Note ASZ}} |[[2019 Liga 1 (Indonesia)|2019 Liga 1]] third place{{Cref2|Note IDN}} |4th {{small|([[2015 AFC Cup|2015]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|CAM}} [[Boeung Ket Angkor FC|Boeung Ket]] |[[2020 C-League]] champions |3rd {{small|([[2018 AFC Cup|2018]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|CAM}} [[Visakha FC|Visakha]]{{Cref2|Note ASZ}} |[[2020 Hun Sen Cup]] winners |1st |- |{{fbaicon|TLS}} [[Lalenok United F.C.|Lalenok United]]{{Cref2|Note ASZ}} |[[2020 Copa FFTL]] winners{{Cref2|Note TLS}} |2nd {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+[[#Qualifying play-offs|Qualifying play-off]] participants: Entering in [[#Preliminary round 2|preliminary round 2]]{{Cref2|Note ASZ}} |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|LAO}} [[F.C. Chanthabouly|Chanthabouly]] |[[2020 Lao Premier League]] champions |7th {{small|([[2020 AFC Cup|2020]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|BRU}} [[Kasuka FC|Kasuka]] |[[2018–19 Brunei Super League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note BRU}} |1st |} {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+Withdrawn teams{{Cref2|Note ASZ}} |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. |- |{{fbaicon|MYA}} [[Shan United F.C.|Shan United]] |[[2020 Myanmar National League]] champions |''N/A'' |- |{{fbaicon|MYA}} [[Hanthawaddy United F.C.|Hanthawady United]] |[[2020 Myanmar National League]] runners-up{{Cref2|Note MYA}} |''N/A'' |} <br /> {| class="wikitable" style="table-layout:fixed;width:100%;" |+East Asia Zone |+[[#Group stage|Group stage]] direct entrants (Group J) |- !width=25%|Team !width=60%|Qualifying method !width=15%|App. {{small|(last)}} |- |{{fbaicon|HKG}} [[Eastern Sports Club|Eastern]] |[[2019–20 Hong Kong FA Cup]] winners<br />[[2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League]] runners-up |2nd {{small|([[2009 AFC Cup|2009]])}} |- |{{fbaicon|HKG}} [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] |[[2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League]] fourth place{{Cref2|Note HKG}} |1st |- |{{fbaicon|TPE}} [[Tainan City F.C.|Tainan City]] |[[2020 Taiwan Football Premier League|2020 Taiwan Premier League]] champions |1st |- |{{fbaicon|MNG}} [[Athletic 220 FC|Athletic 220]] |[[2020 Mongolian National Premier League|2020 Mongolian Premier League]] champions |1st |} {{col-end}}
;Notes {{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}} {{Cnote2|Note TH|'''Title holders (TH):''' [[Al Ahed FC|Al-Ahed]] are the [[2019 AFC Cup|title holders]].}} <!--{{Cnote2|Note ACL|'''AFC Champions League (ACL):''' Teams played in the [[2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs|AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs]], but failed to advance to the AFC Champions League group stage. Had they advanced to the AFC Champions League group stage, they would not play in the AFC Cup, and would be replaced by the standby team from the same association if such team were available.}}--> {{Cnote2|Note ASZ|'''ASEAN Zone (ASZ):''' On 30 April 2021, the AFC announced that the two teams from Myanmar, [[Shan United F.C.|Shan United]] and [[Hanthawaddy United F.C.|Hanthawady United]], withdrew from the group stage and play-off stage respectively after the draw, due to the state of emergency caused by the [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état]]. As a result, the AFC decided to cancel the two play-off round matches, and promote [[Persipura Jayapura]] and the two preliminary stage winners to the group stage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Latest updates on AFC Club Competitions |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/latest-updates-on-afc-club-competitions |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> Following the successful qualification of [[Kaya F.C.–Iloilo|Kaya–Iloilo]] to AFC Champions League group stage, AFC decided on 6 July 2021 to promote [[Visakha FC|Visakha]] and [[Lalenok United F.C.|Lalenok United]] to the group stage.<ref name="groupI-update-PH"/>}} {{Cnote2|Note BAN|'''Bangladesh (BAN):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh]], the [[2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League (football)|2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Bangladesh Football Federation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/2020/05/17/bpl-2019-20-abandonned|title=BPL 2019-20 {{sic|abando|nned|nolink=y}}|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=17 May 2020}}</ref> The teams from Bangladesh playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined by the results of the previous domestic season ([[2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League (football)|2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/news/kings-abahani-likely-participants-afc-cup-1984765|title=Kings, Abahani likely participants in AFC Cup|publisher=The Daily Star|date=27 October 2020}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note BRU|'''Brunei (BRU):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei]], the [[2020 Brunei Super League]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Brunei Super League, U16 & U19 Tournaments cancelled|url=http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2020091901.htm|date=19 September 2020|publisher=National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam|access-date=23 September 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028113607/http://nfabd.org/press-release/2020091901.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2020 [[Brunei FA Cup]] was also cancelled and not organized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/266944061/brunei-calls-off-2020-national-fa-cup|title=Brunei calls off 2020 national FA cup|publisher=Big New Network|date=10 November 2020}}</ref> The team from Brunei playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined by the results of the previous domestic season ([[2018–19 Brunei Super League]]). [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council|MS ABDB]], the [[2018–19 Brunei Super League]] champions, were not granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, [[Kasuka FC|Kasuka]], the best team granted an AFC Cup license ([[2018–19 Brunei Super League]] runners-up), qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acc-license"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kasuka-fc-chosen-to-represent-brunei-in-afc-cup/|title=Kasuka FC chosen to represent Brunei in AFC Cup|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=17 January 2021|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304113905/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kasuka-fc-chosen-to-represent-brunei-in-afc-cup/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note HKG|'''Hong Kong (HKG):''' [[R&F (Hong Kong)|R&F]], the [[2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League]] third place, withdrew from the league after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%e9%ab%94%e8%82%b2/article/20201014/s00006/1602662563566/%e5%af%8c%e5%8a%9b%e6%a3%84%e6%b8%af%e8%b6%85-%e6%96%b0%e5%ad%a3%e5%8f%aa%e9%a4%988%e9%9a%8a%e5%b1%ac%e6%94%b9%e5%88%b6%e5%be%8c%e9%a6%96%e6%ac%a1-%e8%bf%91%e5%85%a9%e5%ad%a34%e9%9a%8a%e9%80%80%e5%87%ba%e9%83%a8%e5%88%86%e6%b6%89%e5%9c%8b%e5%85%a7%e8%b4%8a%e5%8a%a9|title=富力棄港超 新季只餘8隊屬改制後首次 近兩季4隊退出部分涉國內贊助|publisher=明報新聞網|date=14 October 2020|language=ja}}</ref> As a result, [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]], the [[2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League]] fourth place, qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.}} {{Cnote2|Note IDN|'''Indonesia (IDN):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia]], the [[2020 Liga 1 (Indonesia)|2020 Liga 1]] and the [[2020 Piala Indonesia]] were cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Football Association of Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kompetisi Liga 1 dan 2 Musim 2020-2021 Resmi Dibatalkan |url=https://www.pssi.org/news/kompetisi-liga-1-dan-2-musim-2020-2021-resmi-dibatalkan |website=PSSI - Football Association of Indonesia |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=id-ID |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127200121/https://www.pssi.org/news/kompetisi-liga-1-dan-2-musim-2020-2021-resmi-dibatalkan |url-status=dead }}</ref> The teams from Indonesia playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined by the results of the previous domestic season ([[2019 Liga 1 (Indonesia)|2019 Liga 1]] and [[2018–19 Piala Indonesia]]). [[PSM Makassar]], the [[2018–19 Piala Indonesia]] winners, were not granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, [[Persipura Jayapura]], the second best team granted an AFC Cup license ([[2019 Liga 1 (Indonesia)|2019 Liga 1]] third place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acl-license"/><ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Ingin Wakil Indonesia Sesuai Entri Manual Club Competition 2021 |url=https://www.pssi.org/news/afc-ingin-wakil-indonesia-sesuai-entri-manual-club-competition-2021 |publisher=Football Association of Indonesia |access-date=20 December 2020 |date=20 December 2020 |language=id-ID |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131100227/https://www.pssi.org/news/afc-ingin-wakil-indonesia-sesuai-entri-manual-club-competition-2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note IND|'''India (IND):''' Originally, the two teams from India which would have qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup would have been [[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]], the [[2019–20 I-League]] champions (they were already assured of the title before the league was abandoned due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]) qualified as India 2 (group stage), and [[ATK (football club)|ATK]], the [[2020 Indian Super League playoffs]] winners qualified as India 3 (qualifying playoffs).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/clarification-over-acl-and-afc-cup-slots-from-india-in-2020-21-season|title=Clarification over AFC Club Competition slots from 2021 onwards|publisher=All India Football Federation|date=10 March 2020}}</ref> However, '''KGSPL''', the owners of ATK, ceased their football team and bought majority stakes in '''Mohun Bagan FC (India) Private Limited''' and rebranded Mohun Bagan football team as '''[[Mohun Bagan SG|ATK Mohun Bagan FC]]''' from the [[2020–21 Indian Super League|2020–21 Indian Super League season]] which qualified as India 2. The [[All India Football Federation]] decided that [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]], the [[2019–20 Indian Super League#Regular season|2019–20 Indian Super League regular season]] third place (since ATK were also regular season runners-up), would qualify for the 2021 AFC Cup playoffs as India 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/963826/bengaluru-fc-to-play-in-afc-cup-playoffs-as-aiff-confirms-all-three-continental-spots-for-isl-teams|title=Bengaluru FC to play in AFC Cup playoffs as AIFF confirms all three continental spots for ISL teams|publisher=Scroll.in|date=4 June 2020}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note JOR|'''Jordan (JOR):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan]], the 2020 [[Jordan FA Cup]] was cancelled and not organized by the [[Jordan Football Association]]. The teams from Jordan playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2020 Jordanian Pro League]]. [[Al-Jazeera Club (Jordan)|Al-Jazeera]] and [[Al-Ramtha SC|Al-Ramtha]], the [[2020 Jordanian Pro League]] runners-up and third place, were not granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, [[Al-Salt SC|Al-Salt]] and [[Al-Faisaly SC (Amman)|Al-Faisaly]], the second and third best teams granted an AFC Cup license ([[2020 Jordanian Pro League]] fourth place and fifth place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acl-license"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alrai.com/article/10568218/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A2%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85|title= الوحدات رسمياً في دوري أبطال آسيا لكرة القدم - صحيفة الرأي|publisher=alrai.com|date=21 December 2020}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note LBN|'''Lebanon (LBN):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon]], the [[2019–20 Lebanese Premier League]] and the [[2019–20 Lebanese FA Cup]] were cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Lebanese Football Association]] (the competitions were previously suspended due to domestic issues including [[2019–2020 Lebanese protests|protests]] and financial problems).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/sport/2020/5/28/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7|title=الاتحاد اللبناني لكرة القدم يعلن إلغاء الموسم بسبب كورونا|publisher=The New Arab|date=28 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/football-season-called-off-in-lebanon|title=Football season called off in Lebanon|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=28 May 2020}}</ref> The teams from Lebanon playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined by the results of the previous domestic season ([[2018–19 Lebanese Premier League]] and [[2018–19 Lebanese FA Cup]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Abou Diab|first=Rami|date=9 November 2020|title=The two Lebanese teams to play in the 2021 AFC Cup are selected|url=https://www.falebanon.com/the-two-lebanese-teams-to-play-in-the-2021-afc-cup-are-selected/|access-date=9 November 2020|website=FA Lebanon|language=en-GB}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note MAS|'''Malaysia (MAS):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia]], the [[2020 Malaysia FA Cup]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Football Association of Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2020/05/588984/september-restart-m-league|title=September restart for M-League|publisher=New Straits Times|date=1 May 2020}}</ref> The [[2020 Malaysia Cup]] winners would originally qualify for the 2021 AFC Cup,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2020/05/589158/lose-lose-situation-everyone|title='This is a lose-lose situation for everyone'|publisher=New Straits Times|date=2 May 2020}}</ref> but it was also cancelled and declared null and void. The teams from Malaysia playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2020 Malaysia Super League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/2020-malaysia-cup-officially-cancelled-terengganu-earns-afc/ajs6q7x49fkq15apfyj2o62ba |title=2020 Malaysia Cup officially cancelled, Terengganu earns AFC Cup ticket|website=Goal.com|date=12 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020|first=Ooi |last=Kin Fai}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note MDV|'''Maldives (MDV):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives]], the [[2020 Maldives FA Cup]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Football Association of Maldives]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1692|title=Coronavirus - FAM cancels FA cup and President cup|publisher=boalha.mv|date=31 March 2020|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105070933/http://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1692|url-status=dead}}</ref> The teams from the Maldives playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2019–20 Dhivehi Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1693|title=Rejoice for Eagles as AFC cup qualification looms on the horizon|publisher=boalha.mv|date=31 March 2020|access-date=2 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115082939/http://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1693|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note MYA|'''Myanmar (MYA):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar]], the [[2020 General Aung San Shield]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Myanmar Football Federation]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Win |first1=Ye Min |title= MNL Committee decided to cancel the General Aung San Shield 2020|url=https://themnl.com/2020/06/10/%e1%80%99%e1%80%bc%e1%80%94%e1%80%ba%e1%80%99%e1%80%ac%e1%80%94%e1%80%b1%e1%80%9b%e1%80%be%e1%80%84%e1%80%ba%e1%80%94%e1%80%9a%e1%80%ba%e1%80%9c%e1%80%ad%e1%80%82%e1%80%ba%e1%80%80%e1%80%b1%e1%80%ac/ |access-date=10 June 2020 |agency=Myanmar National League |date=10 June 2020}}</ref> The teams from Myanmar playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2020 Myanmar National League]].}} {{Cnote2|Note NEP|'''Nepal (NEP):''' [[Machhindra F.C.|Machhindra]], the [[2019–20 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League]] champions, were not granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, [[Nepal Army Club]], the best team granted an AFC Cup license ([[2019–20 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League]] runners-up), qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acc-license"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/tribhuvan-army-football-club-receives-afc-club-license/|title=Army club receives AFC Club License|publisher=The Himalayan Times|date=23 December 2020}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note OMA|'''Oman (OMA):''' [[Dhofar Club|Dhofar]], the [[2019–20 Sultan Qaboos Cup]] winners, were not granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, [[Al-Nasr SC (Salalah)|Al-Nasr]], the second best team granted an AFC Cup license ([[2019–20 Oman Professional League]] fifth place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acc-license"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=981582&pg=3&o=ncom|title=النصر بديلا لظفار في الآسيوية|publisher=kooora.com|date=7 December 2020}}</ref>}} {{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 Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2020 Philippines Football League]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Azkals Development Team]], the [[2020 Philippines Football League]] third place, are a team under the control of the [[Philippine Football Federation]] and thus ineligible to represent the Philippines in AFC club competitions. Therefore, there was no standby team from the Philippines as there were only six teams in the league and only teams in the top half were eligible.}} {{Cnote2|Note PLE|'''Palestine (PLE):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine]], the [[2019–20 Palestine Cup]] was cancelled and declared null and void by the [[Palestinian Football Association]]. The teams from Palestine playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2019–20 West Bank Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://felesteen.ps/post/75261/%D8%B4%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AD-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%8A|title=شباب رفح ينتظر قرار المحكمة للمطالبة بحق التمثيل الخارجي|website=felesteen.ps|date=11 October 2020}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note SIN|'''Singapore (SIN):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore]], the 2020 [[Singapore Cup]] was cancelled and not organized by the [[Football Association of Singapore]]. The teams from Singapore playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined only by the results of the [[2020 Singapore Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-singapore/soccer-singapore-premier-league-to-resume-on-oct-17-idUKL4N2H104A|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014175130/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-singapore/soccer-singapore-premier-league-to-resume-on-oct-17-idUKL4N2H104A|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2020|title=Singapore Premier League to resume on Oct. 17|publisher=Reuters|date=10 October 2020}}</ref> [[Albirex Niigata Singapore FC|Albirex Niigata (S)]], the [[2020 Singapore Premier League]] champions, were a team from Japan and thus ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions. As a result, [[Geylang International FC|Geylang International]], the Singapore Premier League fourth place, qualified for the AFC Cup.}} {{Cnote2|Note SAZ|'''South Asia Zone (SAZ):''' On 30 April 2021, the AFC decided that [[Abahani Limited Dhaka]] were considered to have withdrawn from the preliminary stage after the draw, due to challenges in meeting the extended deadline to host their preliminary round 2 match and also considering the lockdown and travel restrictions due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh]].<ref name="AFC 20210430"/>}} {{Cnote2|Note SRI|'''Sri Lanka (SRI):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka]], the 2019–20 [[Sri Lanka Champions League]] was cancelled and not organized by the [[Football Federation of Sri Lanka]]. The [[2019–20 Sri Lanka FA Cup]] winners would qualify for the 2021 AFC Cup.}} {{Cnote2|Note TKM|'''Turkmenistan (TKM):''' [[Altyn Asyr FK|Altyn Asyr]], the [[2020 Ýokary Liga]] champions and [[2020 Turkmenistan Cup]] winners, and [[Ahal FK|Ahal]], the [[2020 Ýokary Liga]] runners-up, were not granted an AFC Champions League license, but were granted an AFC Cup license. As a result, they qualified for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref name="acl-license"/><ref>{{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=2020-12-26|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}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note TLS|'''Timor-Leste (TLS):''' Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in East Timor]], the 2020 [[Liga Futebol Amadora Primeira Divisão|LFA Primeira]] was cancelled and not organized by the [[East Timor Football Federation]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bolasport.com|date=2020-10-07|title=Berbeda dari Indonesia, Timor Leste Isi Kekosongan Liga dengan Turnamen - Bolasport.com|url=https://www.bolasport.com/read/312371456/berbeda-dari-indonesia-timor-leste-isi-kekosongan-liga-dengan-turnamen|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.bolasport.com|language=id}}</ref> The [[2020 Copa FFTL]] winners would qualify for the 2021 AFC Cup.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bolasport.com|date=2020-10-28|title=Rencana Eks Pelatih Persita Setelah Membawa Lalenok United Juara Copa FFTL 2020 - Bolasport.com|url=https://www.bola.com/indonesia/read/4394128/rencana-eks-pelatih-persita-setelah-membawa-lalenok-united-juara-copa-fftl-2020|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.bolasport.com|language=id}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2|Note UZB|''' Uzbekistan (UZB):''' [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]], the [[2020 Uzbekistan Super League]] runners-up, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, [[FC AGMK|AGMK]], the second best team granted an AFC Champions League license ([[2020 Uzbekistan Super League]] third place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League, and would have played in the AFC Cup had they failed to advance to the [[2021 AFC Champions League#Group stage|AFC Champions League group stage]].<ref name="acl-license"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> Since AGMK advanced from the [[2021 AFC Champions League#Qualifying play-offs|AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs]] to the group stage, Nasaf, which were granted an AFC Cup license and were the standby team from Uzbekistan, replaced AGMK in the AFC Cup group stage.}} {{Cnote2|Note WAZ|'''West Asia Zone (WAZ)''': On 23 April 2021, the AFC announced that the two teams from Oman, [[Al-Seeb Club|Al-Seeb]] and [[Al-Nasr SC (Salalah)|Al-Nasr]], withdrew from the group stage after the draw, after the suspension of all international and domestic sporting activities due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Oman]]. As a result, the AFC decided to cancel the play-off round match between [[Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari]] and [[Kuwait SC|Al-Kuwait]], and promote both teams to the group stage.<ref name="AFC 20210423w">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/afc-s-decision-on-the-withdrawal-of-oman-clubs-from-afc-cup|title=AFC's decision on the withdrawal of Oman clubs from AFC Cup|date=23 April 2021}}</ref>}} {{Cnote2 End}}
{{Location map+|AFC|width=900|float=center|caption=Location of teams of the '''2021 AFC Cup'''.<br />[[File:Brown pog.svg|8px]] Brown: Group A; [[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] Red: Group B; [[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] Orange: Group C; [[File:Yellow pog.svg|8px]] Yellow: Group D; [[File:Pink pog.svg|8px]] Pink: Group E;<br />[[File:Green pog.svg|8px]] Green: Group F; [[File:Blue pog.svg|8px]] Blue: Group G; [[File:Cyan pog.svg|8px]] Cyan: Group H; [[File:Turquoise pog.svg|8px]] Turquoise: Group I; [[File:Purple pog.svg|8px]] Purple: Group J;<br />'''(H)''' Group stage hosts<br />[[File:White pog.svg|8px]] Qualifying play-offs<br /><s>Withdrawn teams</s>|places= <!--Jordan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=32.083333|long=36.1|label_size=70|label='''Jordan'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Lebanon--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=33.886944|long=35.513056|label_size=70|label='''Beirut'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Syria--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.516667|long=35.783333|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Tishreen SC|Tishreen]]}}|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=right}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=33.513|long=36.292|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Al-Wahda SC (Syria)|Al-Wahda]]}}|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Bahrain--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=26.100833|long=50.487778|label_size=70|label='''Bahrain'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Oman--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=17.082711|long=54.143789|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|<s>[[Al-Nasr SC (Salalah)|Al-Nasr]]</s>}}|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=23.680278|long=58.1825|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|<s>[[Al-Seeb Club|Al-Seeb]]</s>}}|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Palestine--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=32.222222|long=35.261111|label_size=70|label=<div style="position:relative;left:15px">'''Palestine'''</div>|mark=Black pog.svg|position=bottom}} <!--Kuwait--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=29.328889|long=47.987778|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Kuwait SC|Al-Kuwait]]}}|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Uzbekistan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=38.83824|long=65.81386|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]]}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}} <!--Tajikistan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=37.909167|long=69.781944|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Ravshan Kulob]]}}|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=right}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=40.292222|long=69.614167|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[FK Khujand|Khujand]] '''(H)'''}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Turkmenistan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=37.928|long=58.35|label_size=70|label='''{{nowrap|Ashgabat-Ahal}} Region'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Kyrgyzstan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=42.88|long=74.598|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[FC Dordoi Bishkek|Dordoi]] '''(H)'''}}|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=top}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=40.53|long=72.8|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[FC Alay|Alay]]}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}} <!--India--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=22.5726|long=88.3639|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Mohun Bagan SG|ATK Mohun Bagan]]}}|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=12.969886|long=77.593475|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Bangladesh--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=25.932442|long=88.845793|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Bashundhara Kings]]}}|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=23.728|long=90.413|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|<s>[[Abahani Limited Dhaka|Abahani Dhaka]]</s>}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Maldives--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=4.174360|long=73.513037|label_size=70|label='''Malé'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Nepal--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=27.7172|long=85.324|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Nepal Army Club|Nepal Army]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Sri Lanka--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=6.934444|long=79.842778|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Sri Lanka Police SC (football)|SL Police]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Bhutan--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=27.472222|long=89.636111|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Thimphu City FC|Thimphu City]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Vietnam--> {{location map~|AFC|lat=21.028333|long=105.854167|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Hanoi FC|Hanoi]]}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}} {{location map~|AFC|lat=10.760496|long=106.660634|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Saigon FC|Saigon]]}}|mark=Cyan pog.svg|position=bottom}} <!--Malaysia--> {{location map~|AFC|lat=6.118333|long=100.369444|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Kedah Darul Aman F.C.|Kedah Darul Aman]]}}|mark=Cyan pog.svg|position=right}} {{location map~|AFC|lat=5.333333|long=103|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Terengganu FC|Terengganu]]}}|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=bottom}} <!--Singapore--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=1.309845|long=103.763015|label_size=70|label='''Singapore'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Myanmar--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=20.778333|long=97.037778|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|<s>[[Shan United F.C.|Shan Utd.]]</s>}}|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=17.333333|long=96.483333|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|<s>[[Hanthawaddy United F.C.|Hanthawady Utd.]]</s>}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Indonesia--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=-8.546808|long=115.304360|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Bali United F.C.|Bali Utd.]]}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=-2.533|long=140.717|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Persipura Jayapura]]}}|mark=Cyan pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Cambodia--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=11.983333|long=105.45|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Boeung Ket Angkor FC|Boeung Ket]]}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}} {{Location map~|AFC|lat=11.569444|long=104.921111|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Visakha FC|Visakha]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=left}} <!--Laos--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=17.966667|long=102.6|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[F.C. Chanthabouly|Chanthabouly]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Brunei--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=4.931175|long=114.944669|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Kasuka FC|Kasuka]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Timor Leste--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=-8.555155|long=125.580307|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Lalenok United F.C.|Lalenok Utd.]]}}|mark=White pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Hong Kong--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=22.325969|long=114.172796|label_size=70|label='''Hong Kong'''|mark=Black pog.svg|position=top}} <!--Chinese Taipei--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=22.983333|long=120.183333|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Tainan City F.C.|Tainan City]]}}|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=right}} <!--Mongolia--> {{Location map~|AFC|lat=47.889068|long=106.797569|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|[[Athletic 220 FC|Athletic 220]]}}|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=top}}
{{Location map~|AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=-5 |long=53 |label_size=70 |label= {{nowrap|'''Beirut teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Brown pog.svg|8px]] [[Al Ahed FC|Al-Ahed]]}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] [[Al Ansar FC|Al-Ansar]]}}<br /><br />
{{nowrap|'''Jordan teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] [[Al-Salt SC|Al-Salt]] '''(H)'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] [[Al-Faisaly SC (Amman)|Al-Faisaly]] '''(H)'''}}<br /><br />
{{nowrap|'''Palestine teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] [[Markaz Balata]]}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] [[Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari]]}} |position=right }} {{Location map~|AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=-5 |long=70 |label_size=70 |label= {{nowrap|'''Bahrain teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Brown pog.svg|8px]] [[Hidd SCC|Al-Hidd]] '''(H)'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]]}}<br /><br />
{{nowrap|'''Ashgabat-Ahal Region teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Green pog.svg|8px]] [[Altyn Asyr FK|Altyn Asyr]]}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Pink pog.svg|8px]] [[Ahal FK|Ahal]]}}<br /><br />
{{nowrap|'''Malé teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Yellow pog.svg|8px]] [[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]] '''(H)'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:White pog.svg|8px]] [[Club Eagles|Eagles]]}} |position=right }} {{Location map~ |AFC|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=25 |long=145 |label_size=70 |label= {{nowrap|'''Hong Kong teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Purple pog.svg|8px]] [[Eastern Sports Club|Eastern]] '''(H)'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Purple pog.svg|8px]] [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] '''(H)'''}}<br /><br />
{{nowrap|'''Singapore teams'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Cyan pog.svg|8px]] [[Lion City Sailors FC|Lion City Sailors]] '''(H)'''}}<br /> {{nowrap|[[File:Turquoise pog.svg|8px]] [[Geylang International FC|Geylang International]] '''(H)'''}} }} }} {{clear}}
==Schedule== The schedule of the competition is as follows.<ref name="calendar">{{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}}</ref>
On 11 November 2020, the AFC approved a new calendar for the competition due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], where the group stage is played as centralized single round-robin tournament, and the preliminary round, play-off round, and ASEAN Zonal semi-finals and final are played as a single match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/new-competition-dates-approved-by-afc-competitions-committee|title=New competition dates approved by AFC Competitions Committee|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=11 November 2020}}</ref> On 25 January 2021, the AFC published the schedule of the competition.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 1 March 2021, the AFC announced the hosts for the group stage, except for Group G whose hosts will be decided at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/hosts-for-afc-cup-2021-group-stage-confirmed|title=Hosts for AFC Cup 2021 Group Stage confirmed|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=1 March 2021}}</ref> On 27 March 2021, the AFC announced that the West Asia Zone group matches were rescheduled from 23 to 29 May to 21–27 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/update-on-afc-cup-west-zone-group-stage-matches|title=Update on AFC Cup West Zone Group Stage matches|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=27 March 2021}}</ref> On 26 April 2021, the AFC announced that the ASEAN Zone group matches were rescheduled from 22 to 28 June to 29 June – 6 July.<ref>{{cite web |title=Update on AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Group Stage matches |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/update-on-afc-cup-asean-zone-group-stage-matches |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> On 3 May 2021, the AFC announced that the East Asia Zone group matches were rescheduled from 14 to 20 May to 23–29 June.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Cup East Zone Group Stage matches to take place in June |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/afc-cup-east-zone-group-stage-matches-to-take-place-in-june |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=3 May 2021}}</ref> On 9 May 2021, the AFC announced that the South Asia Zone group matches which were originally scheduled between 14 and 20 May would be postponed indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-cup-south-group-d-matches|title=Latest update on AFC Cup (South) Group D matches|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=9 May 2021}}</ref> On 27 May 2021, the AFC announced that the ASEAN Zone group matches which were originally scheduled between 29 June – 6 July would be postponed indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/latest-update-on-afc-cup-groups-h-and-i|title=Latest update on AFC Cup Groups H and I|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=27 May 2021}}</ref> On 7 July 2021, AFC decided to cancel the matches in ASEAN Zone.<ref name="ASEAN">{{cite web |title=AFC Cup 2021 ASEAN Zone matches cancelled |url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/afc-cup-2021-asean-zone-matches-cancelled |publisher=AFC |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>
Notes: *W: West Asia Zone *S: South Asia Zone *C: Central Asia Zone *A: ASEAN Zone *E: East Asia Zone
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !Stage !Round !Draw date !Match date |- |rowspan=2|Preliminary stage |Preliminary round 1 |rowspan=3|No draw |7 April 2021 (S) |- |Preliminary round 2 |14 April 2021 (S) |- |Play-off stage |Play-off round |15 August 2021 (S) |- |rowspan=3|Group stage |Matchday 1 |rowspan=4|27 January 2021<ref>{{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|website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=22 January 2021}}</ref> |14 May 2021 (C), 21 May 2021 (W), 23 June 2021 (E), 18 August 2021 (S) |- |Matchday 2 |17 May 2021 (C), 24 May 2021 (W), 26 June 2021 (E) 21 August 2021 (S) |- |Matchday 3 |20 May 2021 (C), 27 May 2021 (W), 29 June 2021 (E) 24 August 2021 (S) |- |rowspan=6|Knockout stage |Zonal semi-finals |20–21 September 2021 (W) |- |Zonal finals |rowspan=4|4 August 2021<ref name="ASEAN"/> |25 August 2021 (C), 20 October 2021 (W) |- |Inter-zone play-off semi-finals |21–22 September 2021 |- |Inter-zone play-off final |20 October 2021 |- |Final |5 November 2021 at [[Al Muharraq Stadium]], [[Arad, Bahrain|Arad]] |}
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 Cup}} |- !Stage !Round !Draw date !First leg !Second leg |- |Preliminary stage |Preliminary round |rowspan=2|No draw |5–6 January 2021 (W, A)<br />26–27 January 2021 (S, C, E) |12–13 January 2021 (W, A)<br />2–3 February 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Play-off stage |Play-off round |19–20 January 2021 (W, A)<br />9–10 February 2021 (S, C, E) |26–27 January 2021 (W, A)<br />16–17 February 2021 (S, C, E) |- |rowspan=6|Group stage |Matchday 1 |rowspan=7|''TBD'' |colspan=2|15–17 February 2021 (W, A), 2–3 March 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Matchday 2 |colspan=2|1–3 March 2021 (W, A), 16–17 March 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Matchday 3 |colspan=2|15–17 March 2021 (W, A), 6–7 April 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Matchday 4 |colspan=2|5–7 April 2021 (W, A), 13–14 April 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Matchday 5 |colspan=2|12–14 April 2021 (W, A), 18–19 May 2021 (S, C, E) |- |Matchday 6 |colspan=2|26–28 April 2021 (W, A), 25–26 May 2021 (S, C, E) |- |rowspan=5|Knockout stage |Zonal semi-finals |17–19 May 2021 (W, A) |24–26 May 2021 (W, A) |- |Zonal finals |rowspan=4|''TBD'' |3–4 August 2021 (C<sup>*</sup>, S<sup>*</sup>, E<sup>*</sup>, A)<br />28 September 2021 (W) |10–11 August 2021 (C<sup>*</sup>, S<sup>*</sup>, E<sup>*</sup>, A)<br />19 October 2021 (W) |- |Inter-zone play-off semi-finals |24–25 August 2021 |14–15 September 2021 |- |Inter-zone play-off final |29 September 2021 |20 October 2021 |- |Final |colspan=2|6 November 2021 |}
==Qualifying play-offs== {{Main|2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs}} {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs|Format}}
===Preliminary round 1=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs|Preliminary round 1}}
===Preliminary round 2=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs|Preliminary round 2}}
===Play-off round=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs|Play-off round}}
==Group stage== {{main|2021 AFC Cup group stage}} {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup group stage|Draw}} {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup group stage|Format}} {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- !Tiebreakers |- |{{#lst:2021 AFC Cup group stage|Tiebreakers}} |}
===Group A=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group A|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group B=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group B|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group C=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group C|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group D=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group D|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group E=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group E|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group F=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group F|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group G (cancelled)=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group G|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=290}}
===Group H (cancelled) === {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group H|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group I (cancelled) === {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group I|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Group J=== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group J|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|teamwidth=240}}
===Ranking of runner-up teams=== ====West Asia Zone==== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group runners-up (West Asia Zone)|teamwidth=200}}
====ASEAN Zone (cancelled)==== {{2021 AFC Cup group tables|Group runners-up (ASEAN Zone)|teamwidth=200}}
==Knockout stage== {{main|2021 AFC Cup knockout stage}} {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Format}}
===Bracket=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Bracket}}
===Zonal semi-finals=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Zonal semi-finals}}
===Zonal finals=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Zonal finals}}
===Inter-zone play-off semi-finals=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Inter-zone play-off semi-finals}}
===Inter-zone play-off final=== {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Inter-zone play-off final}}
===Final=== {{main|2021 AFC Cup final}} {{#lst:2021 AFC Cup knockout stage|Final}}
==Top scorers== {{smalldiv|{{legend|silver|Team eliminated / inactive 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|ZSF|Zonal semi-finals}} !{{Tooltip|ZF|Zonal finals}} !{{Tooltip|ISF|Inter-zone play-off semi-finals}} !{{Tooltip|IF|Inter-zone play-off final}} !{{Tooltip|F|Final}} !Total |- !rowspan=1|1 |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Khusayin Norchaev]] |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] |1|| ||1||bgcolor="silver"| ||1||3||1|| !rowspan=1|7 |- !rowspan=1|2 |align=left|{{flagicon|TKM}} [[Elman Tagaýew]] |align=left|{{flagicon|TKM}} [[Ahal FK|Ahal]] |2||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| ||2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3| !rowspan=1|5 |- !rowspan=4|3 |align=left|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Ahmed Akaïchi]] |align=left|{{flagicon|KUW}} [[Kuwait SC|Al-Kuwait]] |1||2||1|| || ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3| !rowspan=4|4 |- |align=left|{{flagicon|TKM}} [[Altymyrat Annadurdyýew]] |align=left|{{flagicon|TKM}} [[Altyn Asyr FK|Altyn Asyr]] |2||2|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Gil (footballer, born 1991)|Gil]] |align=left|{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] |1|| ||2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3| ||1||bgcolor="silver"| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|CMR}} [[Ronald Ngah]] |align=left|{{flagicon|JOR}} [[Al-Salt SC|Al-Salt]] | ||1||3|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=4| |- !rowspan=3|7 |align=left|{{flagicon|KUW}} [[Faisal Zayid|Faisal Al-Harbi]] |align=left|{{flagicon|KUW}} [[Kuwait SC|Al-Kuwait]] |2|| || ||1|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3| !rowspan=3|3 |- |align=left|{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Hassan Maatouk]] |align=left|{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Al Ansar FC|Al-Ansar]] |1||1||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|PLE}} [[Khaled Salem]] |align=left|{{flagicon|PLE}} [[Markaz Balata]] | ||3|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- !rowspan=15|10 |align=left|{{flagicon|BHR}} [[Ismail Abdullatif]] |align=left|{{flagicon|BHR}} [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]] |1|| ||1|| || ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| || !rowspan=15|2 |- |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Husniddin Aliqulov]] |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] |1||1|| ||bgcolor="silver"| || || || |- |align=left|{{flagicon|JOR}} [[Mahmoud Al-Mardi]] |align=left|{{flagicon|BHR}} [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]] | || || || ||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| ||1 |- |align=left|{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Andrija Kaluđerović]] |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] | ||||||bgcolor="silver"| ||1|| ||1|| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|ESP}} [[José Ángel Alonso|José Ángel]] |align=left|{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] | ||1|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| || ||1||bgcolor="silver"| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Abay Bokoleev]] |align=left|{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[FC Dordoi Bishkek|Dordoi]] |bgcolor="silver"| || || |2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|TJK}} [[Dilshod Bozorov]] |align=left|{{flagicon|TJK}} [[FK Khujand|Khujand]] |1||||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Flávio Carioca]] |align=left|{{flagicon|BHR}} [[Al-Muharraq SC|Al-Muharraq]] | || || || ||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| ||1 |- |align=left|{{flagicon|TPE}} [[Chen Jui-chieh]] |align=left|{{flagicon|TPE}} [[Tainan City F.C.|Tainan City]] |2|| || ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Roy Krishna]] |align=left|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Mohun Bagan SG|ATK Mohun Bagan]] |1||1|| ||bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| || || bgcolor="silver" colspan=2| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Shokhmalik Komilov]] |align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[FC Nasaf|Nasaf]] |1||||1||bgcolor="silver"| || || || || |- |align=left|{{flagicon|SYR}} [[Thaer Krouma]] |align=left|{{flagicon|SYR}} [[Tishreen SC|Tishreen]] | || ||2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Lee Hong Lim]] |align=left|{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Lee Man FC|Lee Man]] | || ||2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=3| || ||bgcolor="silver"| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|SYR}} [[Mohammad Marmour]] |align=left|{{flagicon|SYR}} [[Tishreen SC|Tishreen]] |1|| ||1||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |- |align=left|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Bidyashagar Singh]] |align=left|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] | || ||2||bgcolor="silver" colspan=5| |}
{{small|Note: Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 57.4).<ref name="regulations"/>}}
==See also== *[[2021 AFC Champions League]] *[[2021 AFC Women's Club Championship]]
==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/}} *{{cite web|url=http://stats.the-afc.com/tournaments/414|title=AFC Cup 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521141500/http://stats.the-afc.com/tournaments/414|archive-date=2021-05-21|website=stats.the-AFC.com}}
{{AFC Cup seasons}} {{2021 in Asian football (AFC)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:AFC Cup}} [[Category:2021 AFC Cup| ]] [[Category:AFC Champions League Two seasons|2021]] [[Category:2021 in Asian men's continental football|2]] [[Category:Association football events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]] [[Category:Association football events curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]