2024 SAFF Club Championship

Last updated

2024 SAFF Club Championship
Tournament details
DatesAugust 2024 [1]
Teams8 (from 7 associations)
2025

The 2024 SAFF Club Championship or the 2024 SCC will be the inaugural edition of the SAFF Club Championship, an annual international men's club football championship of South Asia organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Format

Initially, a centralized venue was planned for the tournament. Eventually, a home-and-away format over six or seven months was finalized as the AIFF expressed reservations over allotting two weeks during the regular Indian football calendar. [6] [7]

Association team allocation

A total of 8 teams from 7 SAFF member associations are set to participate in the 2024 SAFF Club Championship. The association ranking based on the FIFA World Ranking is used to determine the number of participating teams for each association. This will include two teams from India and one team from Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. [8] [9]

Participation for 2024 SAFF Club Championship
Participating
Not participating
SAFF RankMember associationSlots
1 Flag of India.svg India 2
2 Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 1
3 Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives 1
4 Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal 1
5 Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 1
6 Flag of Bhutan.svg Bhutan 1
7 Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan 1
TotalParticipating associations: 78

Qualification

Pakistan

In December 2023, it was announced by the PFF that the Pakistani spot in 2024 SAFF Club Championship would be decided through qualifiers. [10] [11] However, none of the clubs have yet confirmed their participation. [12]

Sri Lanka

Football Sri Lanka named Blue Star to represent Sri Lanka as the club were the champions of the sole Sri Lanka Super League held in 2021. [13]

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Blue Star (C, Q)9711219+1222Qualification for AFC Cup preliminary round 1 and 2024 SAFF Club Championship
2 Sea Hawks 96121611+519 [lower-alpha 1]
3 Colombo 96122211+1119 [lower-alpha 1]
4 Renown 9522107+317
5 Up Country Lions 9513178+916
6 Red Stars 92431816+210
7 Defenders 92431212010
8 New Young's 92161331187
9 Ratnam 9036516113
10 Blue Eagles 9027316132
Source: RSSSF
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Sea Hawks 3, Colombo 0.

India

Two teams that finish the highest in the 2023–24 Indian Super League and have not qualified for 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two or 2024–25 AFC Challenge League will represent India. [14]

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Mohun Bagan SG (C)2215344726+2148 Knockouts and AFC Champions League Two group stage
2 Mumbai City (W)2214534219+2347 Knockouts and SAFF Club Championship
3 Goa 2213633921+1845
4 Odisha 2211653523+1239 Knockouts
5 Kerala Blasters 2210393231+133
6 Chennaiyin 22831126361027
7 NorthEast United 226882832426
8 Punjab 2266102835724 [lower-alpha 1]
9 East Bengal 2266102729224 [lower-alpha 1] AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage [lower-alpha 2]
10 Bengaluru 22571020341422
11 Jamshedpur 2256112732521
12 Hyderabad 2215161043338
Source: Indian Super League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored; 7) fair play ranking
(C) League Shield Champions; (W) ISL Cup winners
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Punjab 4, East Bengal 1.
  2. East Bengal qualified for the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage by winning the 2024 Super Cup. [15]

Bangladesh

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Bashundhara Kings (C, Q)1814314913+3645Qualification for the AFC Challenge League group stage
2 Mohammedan SC 189814017+2335Qualification for the SAFF Club Championship
3 Abahani Ltd. Dhaka 189543422+1232
4 Bangladesh Police FC 187562319+426
5 Fortis FC 186662123224
6 Sheikh Russel KC 184772125419
7 Chittagong Abahani 184772330719
8 Sheikh Jamal DC 1845914241017
9 Rahmatganj MFS 1821061926716
10 Brothers Union (R)1814132166457Relegation to Championship League
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
(C) Champion; (Q) Qualify for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated

Maldives

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Maziya (C)141310564+5240Qualification for 2024–25 AFC Challenge League group stage
2 Eagles 1411215717+4035Qualification for the SAFF Club Championship
3 Super United 1410043521+1430
4 TC Sports 147162124322
5 Buru 146081826818
6 United Victory 14401015493412
7 Green Streets (W)141211843355Withdrew after round 10
8 Valencia (W)140212430262Withdrew after round 9
Source: Dhivehi Premier League 2023
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored.
(C) Champions; (W) Withdrew

Teams and locations

The following teams will participate in the tournament: [16]

South Asia non political, with rivers.jpg
Red pog.svg
Goa
Location of the 2024 SAFF Club Championship clubs
TeamQualification method
Flag of India.svg Mumbai City 2023–24 Indian Super League runners-up
Flag of India.svg Goa 2023–24 Indian Super League third place
Flag of Maldives.svg Eagles 2023 Dhivehi Premier League runners-up
Flag of Nepal.svg Machhindra 2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League runners-up
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Mohammedan 2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League runners-up
Flag of Bhutan.svg Paro 2023 Bhutan Premier League champions
Flag of Pakistan.svg TBA
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Blue Star 2021 Sri Lanka Super League champions

Bracket

The matches will be played in home and away knockout format. [17]

Brackets

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Quarter-finals

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

Semi-finals

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

Final

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg

See also

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