AFC draws centralised groups for 2025/26 Challenge League

August 28 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has drawn the groups for the 20 teams competing in its Challenge League 2025/26 club competition. 

Clubs were divided into five groups – two in the East Zone and three in the West Zone – with matches to be played on October 25 to November 1, 2025, in a centralised location and in a single round-robin centralised league format. 

The AFC Challenge League is the AFC’s third-tier continental club competition that is now in its 12th edition, the second under the rebranded Challenge League title. 

Turkemistan’s FK Arkadag, who were only founded in 2023, are the reigning champions, but will not defend their title as the winner of the Challenge League automatically qualifies for the next season’s Champions League Two group stage.   

In the West Zone’s Group A will see Altyn Asyr (TKM) facing Al Shabab Club (OMA), hosts Paro FC (BHU) and FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ) while the teams hoping to advance from Group B are Al Seeb Club (OMA), Al Ansar FC (LBN), hosts Kuwait SC (KUW) and Bashundhara Kings (BAN).

FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) are the top seeded side in Group C, with Safa FC (LBN), Al Arabi SC (KUW) and hosts FC Muras United (KGZ) their opponents. 

The East Zone’s Group D will see Manila Digger FC (PHI), hosts Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM), SP Falcons (MNG) and Ezra FC (LAO) vying for the two tickets to the quarter-finals while hosts Dewa United FC (IDN), Shan United FC (MYA), Tainan City FC (TPE) and Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) were drawn in Group E.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played over two legs and are scheduled for March and April 2026, with the final on May 9. 

Draw Result:
Group A: Altyn Asyr FC (TKM), Al Shabab Club (OMA), Paro FC (BHU, H), FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ)
Group B: Al Seeb Club (OMA), Al Ansar FC (LBN), Kuwait SC (KUW, H), Bashundhara Kings (BAN)
Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK), Safa SC (LBN), Al Arabi SC (KUW), FC Muras United (KGZ, H)
Group D: Manila Digger FC (PHI), Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM, H), SP Falcons (MNG), Ezra FC (LAO)
Group E: Dewa United FC (IDN, H), Shan United FC (MYA), Tainan City FC (TPE), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) 

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