In the past two weeks, both the Malaysian Football League (MFL) and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) have announced the clubs granted AFC licenses for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
From Malaysia, only four of the six Liga Super clubs that applied successfully received their AFC licenses. Meanwhile, all 18 Liga 1 Indonesia clubs secured at least the minimum licensing required to compete in the AFC Challenge League (ACGL).
Following the 10th First Instance Body (FIB) meeting on April 22, FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif confirmed that Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Selangor FC, Sabah FC, and Penang FC met all licensing criteria. JDT, the reigning Liga Super champions, will represent Malaysia in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), while Selangor FC will feature in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2).
Sharif added that both Terengganu FC and Kedah Darul Aman FC had submitted applications but failed to meet the requirements. Surprise packages Kuching City FC and 2022 AFC Cup runners-up Kuala Lumpur City FC did not apply for licensing.
In Indonesia, PT LIB announced on May 7 that all 18 clubs competing in the 2024/25 Liga 1 season were deemed eligible for the AFC Challenge League. Of these, six clubs were fully licensed for the AFC Champions League Elite: newly crowned champions Persib Bandung, Dewa United, Borneo FC Samarinda, Persita Tangerang, Persik Kediri, and relegation-threatened PSS Sleman. The remaining 12 clubs received conditional ACLE licenses but were otherwise cleared to compete in the ACGL.
Persib will once again take Indonesia’s sole ACL2 slot as Liga 1 champions after they had successfully defended their title on May 5. The league’s single ACGL slot remains up for grabs, with Dewa United, Persebaya Surabaya, Malut United, Borneo FC, PSBS Biak, Bali United, Persija Jakarta, and Arema FC vying for second place with just three matchweeks remaining.
To obtain an AFC license, clubs must meet five essential criteria: sporting performance, personnel and administrative infrastructure, legal requirements, and financial health.