The 2019 season will see new champions crowned as reigning champions Air Force Club from Iraq, who created history after claiming a third successive title last year, will instead compete for a place in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

The upcoming edition, which will consist of 43 teams from 26 Member Associations, will see the total travel contribution doubled from US$2.94 million in 2018 to US$5.88 million in 2019.

Iraq's Air Force Club, who created history by winning a third consecutive title in 2018, will not feature as they will be playing in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Kuwait's Qadsia SC, who won the title in 2014, will begin their continental campaign in West Asia's Group C where they have Al Ahed from Lebanon, Bahrain's Malkiya Club and Al Suwaiq of Oman for company.

In the AFC Champions League – which is already one of the richest continental competitions in world football – clubs stand to earn over US$60,000 per match from the group stage to the semi-finals, with the total contribution rising from US$4.2 million last year to US$8.4 million next year.

Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup, the total travel contribution has doubled from US$2.94 million in 2018 to US$5.88 million in 2019.

Hanoi, who will feature in the 2019 AFC Cup, have signed an agreement with the European giants which will see the clubs exchange ideas in developing and managing football infrastructure.

“The representatives of Bayern Munich met with the officials from T&T Group (owners of the Vietnamese club) on Monday morning,” Hanoi FC said in a statement.

“It is indeed a proud moment for our club as Bayern Munich is one of the best football clubs in the world,” it said.

“The agreement will see Bayern Munich share their expertise in development of football facilities and exchange ideas regarding the design, build and management of infrastructure like stadiums and academies,” Hanoi FC added.