The following clubs have qualified as the Japanese participants for the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 (ACL Elite) and AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 (ACL Two)
◆ Participating clubs in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26
- Vissel Kobe (2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE champions)
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima (2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE runners-up)
- FC Machida Zelvia (3rd place in the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE)
◆ Participating club in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26
- Gamba Osaka (4th place in the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE)
* The winner of the 104th EMPEROR'S CUP qualifies for the ACL Two, but with that team being Vissel Kobe, who are already participating in the ACL Elite, the club that finished 4th in the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE will instead advance to the tournament
* Participation in both competitions will be made official following an adjudication committee meeting to issue AFC Club Licences
Past results of participating clubs in AFC Champions League
ACL / ACL Elite
- Vissel Kobe: Semi-finals (2020), Quarter-finals (2022), Round of 16 (2024/25)
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima: Round of 16 (2014, 2019), Group stage (2010, 2013, 2016)
- FC Machida Zelvia: N/A (first appearance)
ACL Two
- Gamba Osaka: N/A (first appearance)
