Associations Trophy

The IFCF Associations Trophy is an international club football tournament for national champions and other clubs that are eliminated before the main phase of the Champions League or Challengers Cup. It is thus regarded as the third-tier senior international club competition. The first tournament was held in the 11th cycle.

Format
The following teams enter the Associations Trophy: When qualifying rounds are needed, IFCF Council will make a decision on byes and format aimed at including as many national champions in the group stage as possible. In the 1st Associations Trophy, there were less than 64 teams and "lucky losers" from the Challengers Cup fourth qualifying round were randomly drawn to enter the tournament.
 * Champions who do not qualify for the group phase of the Champions League or Challengers Cup
 * Losing teams in the Challengers Cup play-off round

The group stage consists of 16 groups of four teams. Group winners and runners-up advance to the knockout phase.