The AFC Challenge League 2026-27 points table is live from 17 October 2026, when 20 clubs begin a centralised group stage across Kuwait, Bhutan, Tajikistan, Indonesia and Myanmar. Five groups play single round-robin football until 24 October, and eight teams reach the quarter-finals in March 2027.
The final is set for 8 May 2027. FC Goa carry India’s hopes from Group C. Here is everything you need on the standings, fixtures, qualification rules, key players and what to watch next.
AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Points Table
The tables start at zero on Matchday 1 and update after every round. Teams are listed alphabetically until results come in.
Group A Points Table (Host: Paro FC, Bhutan)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Ansar FC (LBN) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| Ahal FK (TKM) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Paro FC (BHU) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo (SYR) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Group B Points Table (Host: FC Istiklol, Tajikistan)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nejmeh SC (LBN) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Al Arabi SC (KUW) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| FC Istiklol (TJK) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Group C Points Table (Host: Qadsia SC, Kuwait)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qadsia SC (KUW) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| FC Goa (IND) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Fortis FC (BAN) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
Group D Points Table (Host: Borneo FC, Indonesia)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borneo FC Samarinda (IDN) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| Tainan City FC (TPE) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yangon United FC (MYA) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| One Taguig FC (PHI) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group E Points Table (Host: Shan United, Myanmar)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manila Digger FC (PHI) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 3 |
| Shan United FC (MYA) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kasuka FC (BRU) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 0 |
If teams finish level on points, the AFC competition regulations decide the order.
AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Key Dates
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group stage | 17 to 24 October 2026 |
| Quarter-finals (two legs) | 3 to 18 March 2027 |
| Semi-finals (two legs) | 7 to 15 April 2027 |
| Final (single match) | 8 May 2027 |
The Challenge League is Asia’s third-tier men’s club competition, and 2026-27 is its 13th edition. The champions earn a place in the 2027-28 AFC Champions League Two group stage, while the runners-up enter that competition’s preliminary stage.
How the AFC Challenge League Group Stage and Qualification Work
Each group is played at one host venue, and every team meets the other three once. A win earns 3 points, a draw 1 and a defeat none.
| Zone | Groups | Quarter-final spots |
|---|---|---|
| West | A, B, C | Three group winners plus the best runner-up |
| East | D, E | Group winners and runners-up |
AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Fixtures: FC Goa and Borneo FC
Matchday 1 is on 17 and 18 October, Matchday 2 on 20 and 21 October, and Matchday 3 on 23 and 24 October.
Group C (all at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium, Hawally, Kuwait)
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 17 October | FC Goa vs FC Regar-TadAZ |
| 17 October | Qadsia SC vs Fortis FC |
| 20 October | Fortis FC vs FC Goa |
| 20 October | FC Regar-TadAZ vs Qadsia SC |
| 23 October | FC Goa vs Qadsia SC |
| 23 October | Fortis FC vs FC Regar-TadAZ |
Group D, Borneo FC home matches (Segiri Stadium, Samarinda, 19:00 WIB)
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 18 October | Borneo FC vs Yangon United |
| 21 October | Borneo FC vs Tainan City |
| 24 October | Borneo FC vs One Taguig FC |
FC Goa in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27
FC Goa earned their Asian place by winning the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26. They dropped into this competition after a 0-3 loss to FK Arkadag in the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage.
Gouramangi Singh is now head coach, taking over from Manolo Marquez. Goa share Group C with Qadsia SC, who finished third in the 2025-26 Kuwaiti Premier League. The group also holds Fortis FC, third in Bangladesh, and Regar-TadAZ, the 2025 Tajikistan Cup winners.
Debutants and Teams to Watch in the AFC Challenge League
Five clubs make their debut: Ahal FK, Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo, FC Goa, New Taipei City Hang Yuan and Qadsia SC.
Manila Digger, the Philippines champions who reached last season’s semi-finals, look strong in Group E. Borneo FC, runners-up in the Indonesian Super League, have home support in Group D.
AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Player Spotlight
Chiki (FC Goa): The Spanish forward joined from FC Cartagena in August 2026 and is tipped as a key attacker for Goa’s opener against Regar-TadAZ.
Gouramangi Singh (FC Goa head coach): After four years at the club in different roles, he now leads the Gaurs on the continental stage.
Mohammad Ibrahim (Fortis FC): His goal beat Muras United 1-0 in the preliminary round and sent Fortis into the group stage.
Kadu Monteiro (Borneo FC): The former FC Porto goalkeeper anchors the hosts, who are coached by 39-year-old Mauro Jeronimo.
Benchmarks from last season: Kuwait SC won the 2025-26 title, Amr Ammouri was named MVP, and Kwame Peprah of Svay Rieng topped the scoring charts with eight goals.
Final Thoughts: AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Standings
The AFC Challenge League 2026-27 points table will move fast, with just three matchdays between 17 and 24 October deciding who reaches the quarter-finals in March. Keep an eye on Group C for FC Goa, Group D for hosts Borneo FC and Group E for Manila Digger.
Winners of the competition earn a spot in the 2027-28 AFC Champions League Two group stage. Bookmark this page, check back after every matchday, and follow the live standings for the latest numbers.
FAQs
On 24 October 2026.
Group C, with Qadsia SC, Fortis FC and FC Regar-TadAZ.
On 8 May 2027, as a single match. The venue has not been announced.
