Iran close to reclaiming 2+1 ACL Elite quota after strong Asian run
Iranian top-flight football is close to reclaiming the coveted 2+1 quota for the AFC Champions League Elite 2027/28 season, following an encouraging run by Persian Gulf Pro League trio Tractor, Sepahan, and Esteghlal across the two ongoing Asian competitions.
A disappointing campaign by Iranian clubs last season saw the country’s allocation reduced to one direct berth and one playoff spot (1+1) for both the current season and the 2026/27 edition of the tournament.
Tractor’s 2-1 home victory over Qatar’s Al Duhail last week lifted the Tabriz-based side to second place in the 12-team West Zone standings with 14 points – four behind leaders Al Hilal – and secured qualification for the round of 16 of Asia’s top-tier club competition with two matches to spare in the league phase.
Sepahan and Esteghlal, meanwhile, advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two after finishing runners-up in their respective groups.
Goals from Esmaeil Qolizadeh, Duckens Nazon and Jasir Asani sealed a comprehensive 3-0 away victory for Esteghlal over Bahrain’s Al Muharraq in a must-win clash on Wednesday. The result allowed the Tehran Blues to overtake their hosts and claim second place behind the UAE’s Al Wasl in Group A.
Sepahan had already confirmed second place behind Al Hussein in Group C with a 2-0 home win over the Jordanian side in November. That group featured only three teams after Indian champion Mohun Bagan SG was expelled from the competition for refusing to travel to Isfahan, citing concerns over “the safety and well-being of its players, officials and support staff.”
Iran currently sits third in the latest AFC Club Competitions Ranking for the West Region, released on Thursday by Footy Rankings, with 67.412 points. Saudi Arabia lead the table with 116.945 points, followed by the United Arab Emirates on 73.003.
Tractor have made the biggest contribution to Iran’s surge, producing an outstanding campaign with four wins and two draws to collect 17 points. Sepahan have added 9.862 points through two wins, one draw and one defeat in the Asian second-tier competition, while Esteghlal have contributed 7.333 points from two wins, two draws and two losses.
With Saudi Arabia and the UAE having pulled clear of the chasing pack, Iran’s primary quota battle is now with Qatar, who sits fourth in the standings with 62.418 points.
Although this margin provides Iranian club football with a degree of breathing room, the race is far from settled. In this context, any elimination or setback for Qatari sides in Asia would be highly beneficial for Iran.
Qatar’s Al Gharafa and Al Sadd are currently ninth and 10th, respectively, in the Elite League’s West Zone table and, as things stand, are set to miss out on a top-eight finish and a place in the knockout rounds.
Both sides are due to face Tractor and Saudi champions Al Ittihad in the remaining rounds, and a victory—or even a draw—for Dragan Skocic’s men would not only boost Iran’s points tally but also directly dent a key rival’s chances.
Iran also holds an advantage in the second-tier competition, where Qatar will be represented only by Al Ahli SC in the round of 16 – a potential opponent for either Sepahan or Esteghlal in today’s knockout draw.
While crucial fixtures remain in both the group and knockout stages of the two tournaments, the current trajectory suggests that after two seasons of reduced representation, Iranian football is closer than ever to rejoining the group of nations awarded two direct berths plus one playoff spot in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The continued progress of Iran’s three top-flight representatives, combined with any potential slips by Qatari clubs, could make the upcoming Asian campaign a defining moment – one that not only restores a lost quota, but also reaffirms Iran’s status as one of West Asia’s leading football powers.