AFC updates the new rankings, Vietnam's position attracts attention

Saudi Arabia remains at the top of the Asian club rankings halfway through the 2025/26 season, with Vietnam placed 15th.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has just announced the mid-season rankings for the 2025/26 Asian club competitions, noting stability at the top as Saudi Arabia retains its number one spot across the continent. Meanwhile, Vietnam holds 15th place, within the upper-middle tier of East Asia.

The rankings are calculated based on club performances in the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage, AFC Champions League Two Round of 16, and AFC Challenge League group stage. Thanks to impressive showings by representatives, especially Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad in the top competition, and Al Nassr’s perfect 8 wins in ACL Two, Saudi Arabia scored 122.195 points, maintaining a significant lead over others.

Following closely behind are Japan (108.952 points), South Korea (85.584 points), and UAE (74.253 points), with rankings unchanged since the end of the 2024/25 season. Iran rose to 5th place with 68.918 points, pushing Qatar down to 6th, marking a notable shift among the top teams.

Among the fastest risers, Indonesia impressively climbed 7 places, from 25th to 18th. Persib Bandung’s top performance in the group stage of ACL Two alongside Dewa United’s efforts in the AFC Challenge League were key factors that significantly boosted Indonesian football’s score.

For Vietnam, the total points currently stand at 38.020, with 8.667 points contributed in the 2025/26 season from clubs competing at the continental level. Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam ranks behind Thailand (7th) but ahead of Indonesia (18th), Cambodia (22nd), and the Philippines (27th).

According to the AFC, a total of 24 associations changed rankings in this update, evenly split with 12 rising and 12 falling. Notably, India dropped the most, falling from 18th to 24th place. The rankings will continue to be adjusted after the 2025/26 season concludes, serving as the basis for allocating future AFC competition slots.