2021 AFC Champions League
The 2021 AFC Champions League was the 40th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 19th under the current AFC Champions League title.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Qualifying: 7–10 April 2021 (W) 23 June 2021 (E) Competition proper: 14 April – 23 November 2021 |
| Teams | Competition: 40 Total: 49 (from 20 associations) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Al-Hilal (4th title) |
| Runners-up | Pohang Steelers |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 135 |
| Goals scored | 379 (2.81 per match) |
| Attendance | 147,086 (1,090 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Michael Olunga (9 goals) |
| Best player(s) | Salem Al-Dawsari |
| Fair play award | Al-Hilal |
Al-Hilal won their fourth title by defeating Pohang Steelers 2–0 in the final, becoming the most successful team in the history of the competition. As winners, they automatically qualified for the 2022 AFC Champions League (although they had already qualified through their domestic performance). They also earned the right to play in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament was the first to involve 40 teams during the group stage, with an increase from the previous 32 teams.
Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by fellow South Korean club Pohang Steelers.