AFC Challenge League
The teams were divided in groups of four - three in the West Zone and two in the East.
To be played in a centralised format, Group A hosts Paro FC (BHU) were drawn with Ahal FC (TKM), Al Ansar FC (LBN) and Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR).
Group B will see FC Istiklol (TJK) welcoming Al Arabi SC (KUW), Nejmeh SC (LBN) and Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR) to Dushanbe while FC Goa (IND), hosts Qadsia SC (KUW), Fortis FC (BAN) and FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) will battle for the sole automatic quarter-final spot in Group C.
Besides the three West Zone group winners, the best second-placed side will also advance to the next stage.
Borneo FC Samarinda (IDN) will host Group D, with One Taguig FC (PHI), Tainan City FC (TPE) and Yangon United FC (MYA)/Ezra FC (LAO) their challengers while Group E will see Persib Bandung (IDN)/Manila Digger (PHI), hosts Shan United (MYA), New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE) and Kasuka FC (BRU)/Karketu Dili FC (TLS) vying for the two quarter-finals spots.
The Group Stage will be played on October 17 to 24, 2026, with the Quarter-finals and Semi-finals - both double-legged affairs - scheduled for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027 respectively, with the Final slated for May 8.
Draw Result
Group A: Ahal FC (TKM), Al Ansar FC (LBN), Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR), Paro FC (BHU)*
Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW), Nejmeh SC (LBN), FC Istiklol (TJK)*, Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR)
Group C: FC Goa (IND), Qadsia SC (KUW)*, Fortis FC (BAN), FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)
Group D: Borneo FC Samarinda (IDN)*, One Taguig FC (PHI), Tainan City FC (TPE), Yangon United FC (MYA)/Ezra FC (LAO)
Group E: Persib Bandung (IDN)/Manila Digger (PHI), Shan United FC (MYA)*, New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE), Kasuka FC (BRU)/Karketu Dili FC (TLS)
Click HERE for the match schedule.
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