Quang Hai and Dinh Bac have the opportunity to compete against Ronaldo in the Asian Champions Cup.

The AFC's increase in AFC Champions League Elite slots opens a significant opportunity for V.League clubs to get closer to facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Asia's top stars.

The Asian Football Confederation's decision to expand AFC Champions League Elite participation to 32 teams starting from the 2026/27 season marks a major turning point for regional football, including V.League. For the first time, Vietnamese clubs have a clearer opportunity to approach the top-tier competition, which gathers the continent's leading teams.

Under the new format, each East Asia and West Asia region will have 16 slots, significantly widening the door for participation from developing football nations. For Vietnam, being allocated a playoff slot is a crucial step forward, allowing V.League representatives to compete for a spot in the group stage – where major names converge.

If they advance past the playoff round, the scenario of Vietnamese clubs facing Asian "giants" could indeed happen. Teams like Al Nassr with Cristiano Ronaldo or Al Ittihad with their expensive star lineup would no longer be too distant, becoming attainable targets if V.League representatives seize the opportunity well.

However, reality shows the gap between V.League and the region's top football nations remains considerable. Thai League currently holds 3 direct group stage slots, while Malaysia also has 1. Vietnam is still only at the playoff stage, but this is a positive signal acknowledging progress made over time.

The competition level in AFC Champions League Elite is also fierce. Since the tournament's upgrade, Southeast Asia has only seen Johor Darul Ta'zim and Buriram United appear in the group stage. This indicates clubs need not only professional quality but also experience and composure in major competitions.

Nevertheless, in the context of V.League clubs gradually improving their standards and integrating internationally, this playoff slot holds special significance. It's not just an opportunity to make history, but also a stepping stone for Vietnamese football to get closer to top-level showdowns, where facing Cristiano Ronaldo and world superstars is no longer a distant dream.

Southeast Asian fans directly discuss Dinh Bac's chance to meet Ronaldo in the Asian Cup.

AFC issues an important announcement, Vietnamese football receives a major opportunity.