The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking,[4] which was published after the 2022 competitions were completed.[5]
NOTE: The following slot allocation is provisional. The final number of slots allocated to each association will be based on the AFC Champions League 2 criteria in the Entry Manual and confirmed by the AFC.
NOTE 1: The following list of participating teams is provisional. The final list of participating teams will be confirmed by the AFC, based on the final slot allocation for each association and the list of teams passing the club licensing requirements. NOTE 2: Only teams assured of a place are displayed.
South Korea (KOR):Pohang Steelers had already qualified for the Champions League Elite as the 2023 K League 1 runners-up when they won the 2023 Korean FA Cup. Thus, third-placed Gwangju FC qualified for the Champions League Elite qualifying play-off, while the fourth-placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors qualified for the Champions League 2 group stage.