Asia is one of the most attractive destinations for club football after Europe, South America, and North America. The continent isn’t just at a high pedestal but has become a significant force.
For years now, Asian teams have continued to perform higher in the FIFA Club World Cup even though the competition has been hosted several times on the continent.
Today there are top leagues on the continent having bragging rights as the best.
Historically, leagues having representatives from the far East and Eastern axis tend to perform better compared to teams from the middle, the north, and the southern part of the continent.
Leagues like the Chinese Super League, Saudi Arabia Pro League, South Korea K-League, and Japanese J-League have had outstanding teams in domestic and continental engagements over the years.
Best soccer leagues in Asia based on AFC 4-year club rankings
12. A-League – Australia
A-League is the highest-level professional men’s soccer league in Australia. At the top of the Australian league system, it is the country’s primary competition for the sport.
Thirteen teams currently contest the league; eleven are based in Australia and one in New Zealand.
The A-League has been able to attract lots of foreign footballers and foreign investors. Sydney FC is the most successful club, with five titles.
11. Jordanian Pro League
Jordanian Pro League is the next top soccer league on the Asian continent according to the AFC rankings. Top teams in the league includes Al-Faisaly, Al-Wehdat and Al-Ahli.
10. Iraq Stars League
Iraq Stars League makes the top 10 list based on the AFC Club 4-year ranking. The league teams like Al-Shorta and Al-Zawraa.
9. Uzbekistan Super League
Uzbekistan Super League is the top division of professional football in Uzbekistan. Founded in 1992 and currently plays with 14 teams.
Pakhtakor is the most successful club with 13 titles.
8. Thai League 1 (Toyota Thai League) – Thailand
Thai League 1, or T1, is the top level of the Thai league system. It is contested by 16 clubs; it operates on a system of promotion and relegation.
7. Super League - China
Officially known as the Ping An Chinese Super League, the league has become the new home for footballers worldwide.
Top players from Brazil, Europe and Africa dominate the list of foreign-based players, leading to China’s increasing ranking coefficient. Top Chinese teams include Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing FC.
6. Qatar Stars League – Qatar
The league is one of the fastest-growing football leagues in Asia, currently witnessing a high influx of foreigners from European countries, Brazil and other South American countries.
The Stars League is also considered one of the wealthiest leagues on the Asian continent. Al-Duhail is the most successful club with 14 domestic titles.
5. Gulf Pro League – Iran
The Persian Gulf Pro League is the highest division of professional football in Iran. It operates on the promotion and relegation system. Persepolis is the most with 13 titles, including 6 Pro League titles as it was formerly known.
4. Pro League - United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates Division 1, or the Arabian Gulf League, is the top professional football league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Al-Ain has won the league for a record 13 times. The league operates on the promotion and relegation system.
3. K-League – South Korea
The South Korean K-League is one of the strongest leagues in Asia based on the performance of South Korean teams.
K-League, or K League 1, is the men’s top professional football league in South Korean society. Twelve clubs contest the company.
2. Japan J-League 1
The J1 League is the Japanese professional football league. It is one of the most successful leagues on the Asian continent.
Meiji Yasuda Life is currently the league’s official sponsor and is thus officially known as the Meiji Yasuda J1 League.
Kashima Antlers remains the most successful club in Japan. They represented Japan and Asia in the FIFA Club World Cup, getting close to the final.
1. Pro League – Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabia professional football league is one of the best on the continent.
The league has produced some of the best teams that have also represented the continent in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Al-Hilal remains the most successful league in the country with over three Champions League titles and 16 league titles. Other competitive teams in the Saudi Pro League include Al-Ittihad FC and Al Nassr.
From 2013 to 2019, it was known as the Abdul Latif Jameel League, or Dawry Jameel, as Abdul Latif Jameel sponsored it for six years.