🔻The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced in a statement that it has awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting of the centralized final and knockout stages of the AFC Champions League Elite for three consecutive seasons (from the 2026-2027 season to the 2028-2029 season).

🔹Also, starting from the 2026-2027 season, the competition format will undergo major changes with an increase in the number of teams to 32. Under the new format, seeding for the draw will change from 2 tiers to 4 tiers, and each team will play against two representatives from each tier.

🔹In addition, the scheduling of matches in the final week of the group stage in both the East and West regions was approved to take place at the same time. If any team withdraws, the matches will continue without a replacement.

🔹In another decision, the AFC awarded Japan the hosting of the 2028 AFC U-23 Asian Cup (Olympic qualification competitions for Los Angeles 2028).