Saudi Arabia has risen to the top of the AFC ranking in the 2023 club competitions, according to a continental confederation statement Monday.
Saudi Arabia will maintain three direct seats in the elite Champions League, and a seat in Champions League 2, 2025-2026 after winning 103.148 points.
Japan finished second with 96.999 points, while South Korea was third with 93.600 points.
The Champions League title went to the Emirati eye after overtaking Japan’s Yokohama Marinos last Saturday, leading the UAE to fourth place in the AFC rankings, with Qatar ranked fifth.
Al-Hilal, Nusr, Union and Al Faha passed the Champions League group stage this season. Al-Fayha emerged from the round of 16 against Al-Nasser. Al-Fayha farewelled the competition from the last eight against Al-Hilal and lost the same role against Al-Ain Al-Emirati.
Moreover, in the 2023-2024 season, three other Saudi clubs, Al Nasr, Al Fayha and Al Hilal, succeeded in booking their places in the knockout stages of the first club tournament on the continent. Al Hilal, led by coach Jorge Jesus, succeeded in reaching the semifinals before losing to the Emirati Eye.
In contrast, Japanese clubs’ strong performance in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League contributed to their second place in the rankings with a total of 96.999 points.
