#ChallengeLeague returns with knockout clashes

Wed, 25 Feb, 2026

#ChallengeLeague returns with knockout clashes

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining contenders for the AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) 2025/26 trophy will reassemble next week to continue their quest in the Knockout Stage.

Having sealed progress from the Group Stage in October (West) and November (East) 2025, eight teams will do battle across two-legged Quarter-final ties in the 12th edition of Asia’s third-tier men’s club competition, formerly known as the AFC President’s Cup before its revamp last season.

Saudi Arabia top of AFC Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2025/26

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Saudi Arabia top of AFC Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2025/26

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia lead the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2025/26, which was released today.

Having ended the 2024/25 rankings on top, the West Asians have retained their position in the latest update, which factors in the latest results from the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26™, AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2025/26™ and AFC Challenge League (ACGL) 2025/26™.

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League 2024/25™

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League 2024/25™

Kuala Lumpur: FK Arkadag emerged champions of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25™ after a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win over Cambodia's Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.

Victory for the Turkmenistan side not only meant continental honour but also a ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™.

Group D: Manila Digger FC (PHI) 2-2 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Sun, 02 Nov, 2025

Group D: Manila Digger FC (PHI) 2-2 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Phnom Penh: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Manila Digger FC in an entertaining AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group D match at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on Saturday.

With both sides already confirmed for the quarter-finals, Pa Ousman Gai’s brace was cancelled out by Kwame Peprah and a strike by Nhean Sosidan five minutes before the end to give the hosts the top spot in the group with seven points ahead of the Philippines side on goal difference.

Group E: Dewa United FC (IDN) 4-1 Shan United FC (MYA)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group E: Dewa United FC (IDN) 4-1 Shan United FC (MYA)

Tangerang: Indonesia’s Dewa United confirmed their progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 on Saturday with a commanding 4-1 win over Shan United from Myanmar in Tangerang Regency.

Goals from Egy Maulana, Hugo Gomes, Alexis Messidoro and Rafael Struick took Johannes Olde’s side to a win that guarantees a first-place finish in Group E ahead of Phnom Penh Crown from Cambodia on goal difference.

Group D: SP Falcons FC (MNG) 3-1 Ezra FC (LAO)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group D: SP Falcons FC (MNG) 3-1 Ezra FC (LAO)

Phnom Penh: SP Falcons ended their AFC Challenge League 2025/26 campaign on a positive note after defeating Ezra FC 3-1 in their Group D tie on Saturday.

The win meant Falcons claimed third spot in the standings with Ezra finishing bottom. 

Group B: Kuwait SC (KUW) 2-0 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group B: Kuwait SC (KUW) 2-0 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Sulaibikhat: Kuwait SC cruised into the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 quarter-finals with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings in their Group B tie on Friday.

The victory meant Kuwait SC finished top with seven points, with Lebanon’s Al Ansar FC also advancing from the group on the best runners-up ticket.

Kuwait SC will play Group A winners Al Shabab Club of Oman in the quarter-finals while Al Ansar will face off against Kyrgyz Republic's FC Muras United, who topped Group C.

Group C: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 1-1 FC Muras United (KGZ)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group C: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 1-1 FC Muras United (KGZ)

Bishkek: FC Muras United booked their spot in the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 quarter-finals after battling back to hold Al Arabi SC to a 1-1 stalemate in their Group C tie on Friday.

The draw saw both teams amassing five points with the Kyrgyz Republic side finishing top with a superior goal difference. Lebanon's Al Ansar FC - who advanced as the best runners-up across the three West groups - will be their opponents in the quarter-finals.

Group B: Al Seeb Club (OMA) 1-2 Al Ansar FC (LBN)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group B: Al Seeb Club (OMA) 1-2 Al Ansar FC (LBN)

Sulaibikhat: Al Ansar FC booked their place in the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 quarter-finals after coming from behind to defeat Oman's Al Seeb Club 2-1 in their Group B tie on Friday.

The win vaulted Al Ansar to six points with the Lebanon side finishing second behind Kuwait SC, who defeated Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh 2-0 in the later match.

Al Ansar advanced as the best second-placed team across the three West Zone groups and will play Group C winners FC Muras United of Kyrgyz Republic in the quarter-finals.

Group A: Paro FC (BHU) 3-3 FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group A: Paro FC (BHU) 3-3 FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ)

Thimphu: Kyrgyz Republic’s FC Abdysh-Ata and Bhutan’s Paro FC shared honours in an enthralling 3-3 draw to finish their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group A campaigns on a high at Changlimithang Stadium on Friday.

Goals from Artem Bilyi, Baktai Talaibek and Erbol Abduzhaparov were matched by strikes from Evans Asante and a brace from Riku Ichimura to ensure both sides gained their first point of the competition in their final match. 

Group E: Tainan City FC (TPE) 2-3 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Group E: Tainan City FC (TPE) 2-3 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Tangerang: Phnom Penh Crown FC defeated Tainan City FC 3-2 in a thrilling contest to advance to the quarter-finals of the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 on Saturday.

The win took Phnom Penh to seven points, guaranteeing them a top two finish in Group E.

Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) 1-2 Safa SC (LBN)

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) 1-2 Safa SC (LBN)

Bishkek: Safa FC concluded their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group C campaign on a positive note thanks to a 2-1 win against FC Regar-TadAZ on Friday.

Safa ended on four points while Regar-TadAZ finished bottom of the group after one draw and two defeats.