The 2022 release of the AFC Champions League has formally started off with Asia’s best groups competing to be delegated bosses of the landmass.
Saudi Arabian monsters Al-Hilal asserted the title last year in the wake of overcoming Pohang Steelers 2-0 in the last.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current campaign…
When are games being played for the AFC Champions League 2022?
| Stage | Date (East Region) | Date (West Region) |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage MD1 | April 15-16 | April 7-8 |
| Group stage MD2 | April 18-19 | April 10-11 |
| Group stage MD3 | April 21-22 | April 14-15 |
| Group stage MD4 | April 24-25 | April 18-19 |
| Group stage MD5 | April 27-28 | April 22-23 |
| Group stage MD6 | April 30 – May 1 | April 26-27 |
| Round of 16 | August 18-19 | February 3-4 (2023) |
| Quarter-finals | August 22 | February 7 (2023) |
| Semi-finals | August 25 | February 10 (2023) |
| Final (First leg) | February 19, 2023 |
| Final (Second leg) | February 26, 2023 |
The AFC Champions League bunch stage should start in February however was deferred by two months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That defer implies the whole gathering stage has been fit into a solitary month with the last then not occurring until February 2023.
The following release of the AFC Champions League isn’t supposed to start until the center of 2023.
Which teams are competing in the AFC Champions League in 2022?
A total of 39 teams will be competing in the AFC Champions League group stage after Shanghai Port were forced to withdraw due to China’s COVID situation.
The competition was expanded from 32 to 40 teams in 2021.
These are the teams vying for the title in 2022:
| Club | Country | Group |
| Al-Hilal | Saudi Arabia | A |
| Al-Rayyan | Qatar | A |
| Istiklol | Tajikistan | A |
| Sharjak | United Arab Emirates | A |
| Al-Jazira | United Aram Emirates | B |
| Al-Shabab | Saudi Arabia | B |
| Mumbai City | India | B |
| Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | Iraq | B |
| Ahal | Turkmenistan | C |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | United Arab Emirates | C |
| Al-Gharafa | Qatar | C |
| Foolad | Iran | C |
| Sepahan | Iran | D |
| Al-Taawoun | Saudi Arabia | D |
| Al-Duhail | Qatar | D |
| Pakhtakor | Uzbekistan | D |
| Al-Sadd | Qatar | E |
| Al-Faisaly | Saudi Arabia | E |
| Al-Wehdat | Jordan | E |
| Nasaf Qarshi | Uzbekistan | E |
| Shandong Taishan | China | F |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | Japan | F |
| Lion City Sailors | Singapore | F |
| Daegu FC | South Korea | F |
| BG Pathum United | Thailand | G |
| Jeonnam Dragons | South Korea | G |
| United City | Philippines | G |
| Melbourne City | Australia | G |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | South Korea | H |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | Japan | H |
| Hoang Anh Gia Lai | Vietnam | H |
| Sydney FC | Australia | H |
| Kawasaki Frontale | Japan | I |
| Guangzhou | China | I |
| Johor Darul Ta’zim | Malaysia | I |
| Ulsan Hyundai | South Korea | I |
| Chiangrai United | Thailand | J |
| Kitchee | Hong Kong | J |
| Vissel Kobe | Japan | J |
AFC Champions League prize money: How much do teams get?
Aside from the actual title, progressing in and winning the ACL brings with it a significant amount of prize money for clubs.
This is how the prize money will be distributed in 2022:
| Result | Prize money (USD) |
| Group stage win | $50,000 |
| Group stage draw | $10,000 |
| Round of 16 | $100,000 |
| Quarter-finals | $150,000 |
| Semi-finals | $250,000 |
| Runners-up | $2,000,000 |
| Champions | $4,000,000 |
Star players to watch out for in the AFC Champions League 2022
As could be, there are an entire host of stars contending in the AFC Champions League in 2022.
Previous Barcelona star Andres Iniesta will arrange for Japanese side Vissel Kobe and is joined by another ex-Barca player as Bojan Krkic.
Qatari club Al Sadd, who were recently trained by Barcelona chief Xavi, likewise brag a few major names through previous Premier League team Santi Cazorla and Andre Ayew.
AFC Champions League past winners
Al-Hilal became the competition’s most successful club when they collected their fourth title in 2021.
They were previously level with Pohang Steelers, who have lifted the trophy three times.
South Korea remain the most successful country in the ACL with their clubs lifting the title 12 times.
Here are the most recent AFC Champions League winners:
| Club | Year |
| Al-Hilal | 2021 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 2020 |
| Al-Hilal | 2019 |
| Kashima Antlers | 2018 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 2017 |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2016 |
| Guangzhou Evergrande | 2015 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 2014 |
| Guangzhou Evergrande | 2013 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 2012 |
