The inaugural edition of the SAFF Club Championship will see teams from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Nepal compete against one another. A total of 16 teams will participate in the competition, with four teams from India.
However, the criteria for participation of Indian teams has not been confirmed just yet. With the only AFC Champions League spot removed from the coming year, one can assume that the top four teams from the ISL might be chosen to participate in the tournament. But, teams from the I-League might also have a chance at going through. The AIFF is expected to announce the criteria for qualification in due course.
SAFF Club Championship 2024 confirmed: All we know so far
Here are the number of clubs that will participate per nation:
- India (4)
- Bangladesh (4)
- Maldives (3)
- Nepal (2)
- Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka (1 each)
In case of Pakistan, a playoff will take place between Afghan Club Chaman, Muslim FC and Baloch FC Nushki since there is no professional league in the country.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will send four teams owing to their regular participation in the AFC Cup and relatively higher coefficient.
A final decision as to which clubs will participate depends on whether the teams themselves want to participate in the competition or not.
