2025–26 AFC Challenge League

The 2025–26 AFC Challenge League will be the 12th edition of the Asia's third-tier continental club football competition, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the second under the AFC Challenge League title.^[1][2]

2025–26 AFC Challenge League

Tournament details
Dates	Qualifying: 12 August 2025 Competition proper: 25 October 2025 – 9 May 2026
Teams	Competition proper: 20 (from 27 associations)
← 2024–25 2026–27 →

Arkadag are the reigning champions, but will not defend their title as the winner of the Challenge League automatically qualifies for the Champions League Two Group stage.

The winner will be given a direct slot for the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two group stage, if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance.^{[citation needed]}

Association team allocation

The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking which was published after the 2023–24 competitions were completed.^[3][4]

Participation for 2025–26 AFC Challenge League
	Participating
	Not participating

West Region (3 groups) Rank Member association Points Slots Group stage Play-off Zone AFC — — 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two qualifying round losers — 2 0 11 19  Turkmenistan 20.217 1 0 12 20  Oman 20.048 1 0 13 21  Lebanon[LBN] 18.711 2 0 14 22  Kuwait[KUW] 17.818 1 1 15 24  Bangladesh[BAN] 17.125 0 2 16 26  Syria[SYR] 15.972 0 2 17 27  Kyrgyzstan[KGZ] 15.500 0 2 18 30  Maldives 10.490 0 1 19 35  Palestine[PLE] 4.984 0 0 20 38    Nepal[AFC] 0.917 0 0 21 39  Sri Lanka[AFC] 0.555 0 0 22 40  Bhutan 0.505 0 1 23 42  Afghanistan 0.075 0 1 24 43  Pakistan[AFC] 0.000 0 0 24 43  Yemen[AFC] 0.000 0 0 Total Participating associations: 11 7 10 17

East Region (2 groups) Rank Member association Points Slots Group stage Play-off Zone AFC — — 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two qualifying round loser — 1 0 11 28  Indonesia 14.816 1 5 12 29  North Korea[AFC] 13.923 0 0 13 31  Cambodia[CAM] 10.375 1 1 14 32  Myanmar[MYA] 7.581 1 1 15 33  Chinese Taipei[TPE] 6.978 0 2 16 34  Mongolia[MGL] 5.300 0 2 17 36  Macau[AFC] 3.770 0 0 18 37  Laos 1.198 0 1 19 41  Brunei 0.100 0 1 20 43  Guam[AFC] 0.000 0 0 20 43  Northern Mariana Islands[AFC] 0.000 0 0 20 43  Timor-Leste[AFC] 0.000 0 0 Total Participating associations: 7 4 8 12

Notes

1. ^
   AFC Licensing (AFC): Association did not have a licensed club.^[5]
2. ^
   Palestine (PLE): Association did not enter the competition.
3. ^
   Lebanon (LBN): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Palestine has been re-allocated to Lebanon. The team received a bye in the preliminary round.^[6]
4. ^
   Kuwait (KUW): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Nepal has been re-allocated to Kuwait.^[6]
5. ^
   Bangladesh (BAN): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Sri Lanka has been re-allocated to Bangladesh.^[6]
6. ^
   Syria (SYR): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Pakistan has been re-allocated to Syria.^[6]
7. ^
   Kyrgyzstan (KGZ): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Yemen has been re-allocated to Kyrgyzstan.^[6]
8. ^
   Cambodia (CAM): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the direct slot of North Korea has been re-allocated to Cambodia.^[6]
9. ^
   Myanmar (MYA): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Macau has been re-allocated to Myanmar.^[6]
10. ^
    Chinese Taipei (TPE): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of Guam has been re-allocated to Chinese Taipei.^[6]
11. ^
    Mongolia (MGL): According to 3.17.1. of AFC Entry Regulation, subject to Articles 3.19 and 3.20, any slot(s) that were forfeited shall be redistributed to the highest eligible Member Association in the same Regional Ranking of the same AFC Club Competition. Therefore, the indirect slot of NMI has been re-allocated to Mongolia.^[6]

Teams

West Region Group stage direct entrants Team Qualifying method App. (last) 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two qualifying round losers Altyn Asyr 2024 Ýokary Liga third place[Note TKM] 1st Al-Shabab 2024–25 Sultan Qaboos Cup winners 1st Al-Ansar 2024–25 Lebanese Premier League champions 1st Safa 2024–25 Lebanese Premier League runners-up[Note LBN] 1st Al-Kuwait 2024–25 Kuwaiti Premier League champions 1st Qualifying play-off participants Team Qualifying method App. (last) Al-Arabi 2024–25 Kuwaiti Premier League runners-up[Note KUW] 2nd (2024–25) Abahani Dhaka 2024–25 Bangladesh Premier League runners-up[Note BAN] 6th (2013) Bashundhara Kings 2024–25 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners 2nd (2024–25) Al-Karamah 2024–25 Syrian Premier League runners-up [Note SYR] 1st Hutteen 2024–25 Syrian Premier League third-place[Note SYR] 1st Abdysh-Ata Kant 2024 Kyrgyz Premier League champions 2nd (2024–25) Muras United 2024 Kyrgyzstan Cup winners 1st Maziya 2023 Dhivehi Premier League champions[Note MDV] 2nd (2024–25) Paro 2024 Bhutan Premier League champions 2nd (2024–25) Abu Muslim 2024–25 Afghanistan Champions League champions 1st

East Region Group stage direct entrants Team Qualifying method App. (last) 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two qualifying round loser 1st Dewa United Banten 2024–25 Liga 1 runners-up 1st PKR Svay Rieng 2024–25 Cambodian Premier League champions 3rd (2024–25) Shan United 2024–25 Myanmar National League champions 4th (2024–25) Qualifying play-off participants Team Qualifying method App. (last) Phnom Penh Crown 2024–25 Hun Sen Cup winners 5th (2012) Yangon United 2025 MNL League Cup winners 1st Tainan City 2024 Taiwan Football Premier League champions 2025 Taiwan President FA Cup winners 2nd (2024–25) Taichung Futuro 2024 Taiwan Football Premier League runners-up[Note TPE] 1st SP Falcons 2024–25 Mongolian Premier League champions 2nd (2024–25) Khangarid 2024–25 Mongolian Premier League runners-up[Note MGL] 1st Ezra 2024–25 Lao League 1 champions 1st Kasuka 2024–25 Brunei Super League champions 1st

Notes

1. ^
   Lebanon (LBN): Since the 2024–25 Lebanese FA Cup could not take place due to escalation of the conflict in the south with Israel,^[7] the AFC Challenge League playoff spot was passed to the Premier League runners-up, Safa.
2. ^
   Maldives (MDV): The 2024 Dhivehi Premier League was not held. The teams from Maldives are determined by the results of the 2023 Dhivehi Premier League. Thus Maziya, the 2023 Dhivehi Premier League champions, participate in the AFC Challenge League group stage.^[6]
3. ^
   Bangladesh (BAN): Mohammedan, winner of the 2024–25 Bangladesh Premier League champions, failed to obtain an AFC license. Instead, the runners-up, Abahani Dhaka, qualified for the Challenge League qualifying playoffs.
4. ^
   Turkmenistan (TKM): Arkadag, winner of the 2024 Ýokary Liga and 2024 Turkmenistan Cup, also won the 2024–25 AFC Challenge League and qualified for the Champions League Two group stage. The 2024 Ýokary Liga runners-up Ahal and third place Altyn Asyr qualify for the Champions League Two qualifying playoffs and Challenge League group stage respectively.
5. ^
   Mongolia (MGL): Since the 2024-25 MFF Cup could not be completed in time for due to tightness of schedules and delays, the AFC Challenge League playoff spot will be passed to the Premier League runners-up, Khangarid.
6. ^
   Kuwait (KUW): Since the 2024–25 Kuwait Emir Cup could not be completed in time for due to tightness of schedules, the AFC Challenge League playoff spot was passed to the Premier League runners-up, Al-Arabi.
7. ^
   Syria (SYR): Since the 2024–25 Syrian Cup could not take place due to the ongoing political situation and hostilities in Syria, the AFC Challenge League playoff spots were awarded based on the Premier League standings.^[8] Al-Ittihad Ahli, winner of the 2024–25 Syrian Premier League champions, failed to obtain an AFC license. Instead, the runners-up, Al-Karamah and third-place, Hutteen, qualified for the Challenge League qualifying playoffs.^[9]
8. ^
   Chinese Taipei (TPE) As 2025 Taiwan President FA Cup winners Tainan City TSG already qualified for the Challenge League playoffs via their league position, the spot reserved for the Taiwan President FA Cup winners was transferred to the 2024 Taiwan Football Premier League runners-up, Futuro.

Schedule

The schedule of the competition is as follows.^[10]

Stage	Round	Draw date	West region	East region
Preliminary stage		No draw[a]	12 August 2025
Group stage	Matchday 1	24 August 2025	25 October 2025	26 October 2025
	Matchday 2		28 October 2025	29 October 2025
	Matchday 3		31 October 2025	1 November 2025
Knockout stage	Quarter-finals	19 February 2026	4 and 11 March 2026	5 and 12 March 2026
	Semi-finals		7 and 15 April 2026	9 and 16 April 2026
	Final		9 May 2026

1. Pre-determined format. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same tie.

Preliminary stage

The bracket of the preliminary stage was determined based on each team's seeding, with the team with higher seeding hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The winners of the preliminary stage (five from West and four from East) advance to the group stage and join the 11 direct entrants.^[11]

Team 1	Score	Team 2
West Region
Abahani Dhaka	12 August 2025	Muras United
Al-Karamah	12 August 2025	Bashundhara Kings
Abdysh-Ata Kant	12 August 2025	Hutteen
Maziya	12 August 2025	Al-Arabi
Paro	12 August 2025	Abu Muslim
East Region
Tainan City	12 August 2025	Khangarid
SP Falcons	12 August 2025	Taichung Futuro
Yangon United	12 August 2025	Ezra
Kasuka	12 August 2025	Phnom Penh Crown

West Region

Abahani Dhaka	v	Muras United

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

17:00 UTC+6

National Stadium, Dhaka

---

Al-Karamah	v	Bashundhara Kings

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

20:30 UTC+3

Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar)^[a]

---

Abdysh-Ata Kant	v	Hutteen

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

20:00 UTC+6

Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek

---

Maziya	v	Al-Arabi

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

15:00 UTC+5

National Football Stadium, Malé

---

Paro	v	Abu Muslim

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

18:00 UTC+6

Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu^[b]

East Region

Tainan City	v	Khangarid

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

19:30 UTC+8

Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei

---

SP Falcons	v	Taichung Futuro

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

16:00 UTC+8

MFF Football Centre, Ulanbaatar

---

Yangon United	v	Ezra

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

16:00 UTC+6:30

Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon

---

Kasuka	v	Phnom Penh Crown

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12)

20:15 UTC+8

Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan

Group stage

Main article: 2025–26 AFC Challenge League group stage

The group stage draw is scheduled to take place on 28 August 2025.

PKR Svay Rieng

Shan United

Dewa United Banten

Al-Kuwait

Altyn Asyr

Al-Shabab

Beirut

Beirut teams
Al-Ansar
Safa

Location of the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League group stage teams

See also

• 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite
• 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two
• 2025–26 AFC Women's Champions League

Notes

1. Al-Karamah will play their home match at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar), instead of their regular home stadium Khalid ibn al-Walid Stadium, Homs.
2. Paro will play their home match at Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, instead of their regular home stadium Woochu Sports Arena, Paro.