The 2026–27 AFC Challenge League is the 13th edition of the Asia's third-tier continental club football competition, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the third under the AFC Challenge League title.
Al-Kuwait are the reigning champions, but did not defend their title as the Challenge League winners automatically qualified for the Champions League Two group stage. The winners will automatically qualify for the 2027–28 AFC Champions League Two group stage, while the runners-up will qualify for the preliminary stage.
Association team allocation The associations are allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking which was published after the 2024–25 competitions were completed.
Participation for 2026–27 AFC Challenge League Participating Not participating
+West Region (3 groups)RankMemberassociationPointsSlotsGroupstagePreliminarystage — —2026–27 AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage losers—20112024.21110122121.26010132220.30420142420.03311152618.37802162816.42802172914.1740218339.9100119356.1980020364.0350121 391.3000022400.5600123410.4800024430.0000024430.00000TotalParticipating associations: 10 or 1171017
+East Region (2 groups)RankMemberassociationPointsSlotsGroupstagePreliminarystage — —2026–27 AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage losers—10112518.65310122716.70610133012.83711143112.28002153211.7300016346.9620217373.2330018382.3750119420.0900120430.0000120430.0000020430.00000TotalParticipating associations: 84812
Notes
Teams Entry roundWest RegionEast RegionGroup stageTeamQualifying method TeamQualifying method Al-Arabi2026–27 AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage losers3rd Manila Digger2026–27 AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage losers2nd Goa1st Ahal2025 Ýokary Liga runners-up1st Borneo2025–26 Indonesia Super League runners-up 1st Al-Qadsia2025–26 Kuwaiti Premier League third place1st One Taguig2025–26 Philippines Football League runners-up 1st Ansar2025–26 Lebanese Premier League champions2nd Shan United2025–26 Myanmar National League champions 5th Nejmeh2025–26 Lebanese Premier League runners-up 2nd Istiklol2025 Tajikistan Higher League champions 2nd Preliminary stage Regar-TadAZ2025 Tajikistan Cup winners6th Yangon United2025–26 Myanmar National League runner-up2nd Dordoi Bishkek2025 Kyrgyzstan Cup winners9th Tainan City TSG2025–26 Taiwan Football Premier League champions3rd Muras United2025 Kyrgyz Premier League runners-up 2nd 2025–26 Taiwan Football Premier League runners-up1st Fortis2025–26 Bangladesh Football League 3rd place FC Ulaanbaatar2025–26 Mongolian Premier League champions 1st2025–26 Bangladesh Football League 4th place Central Stallions2025–26 Mongolian Premier League runners-up1st Al Ittihad Ahli2025–26 Syrian Premier League champions 1st Ezra2025–26 Lao League 1 champions Homs Al Fidaa2025–26 Syrian Premier League runners-up1st Kasuka2025–26 Brunei Super League runners-up Maziya2025–26 Dhivehi Premier League champions Karketu Dili2025 Liga Futebol Timor-Leste champions1st Paro2025 Bhutan Premier League champions3rd Abu Muslim2025–26 Afghanistan Champions League champions Notes
Schedule The schedule of the competition is as follows.
+Schedule for 2026–27 AFC Challenge LeagueStageRoundDraw dateWest regionEast regionPreliminary stageNo draw 11–12 August 2026 11 August, 8 and 15 September 2026Group stageMatchday 120 August 202617 October 202618 October 2026Matchday 220 October 202621 October 2026Matchday 323 October 202624 October 2026Knockout stageQuarter-finalsTBD3 and 17 March 202711 and 18 March 2027Semi-finals7 and 14 April 20278 and 15 April 2027Final8 May 2027
Preliminary stage The bracket of the preliminary stage was determined based on each team's seeding, with the higher seeded 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) advanced to the group stage of the competition.
West Region
East Region
Notes
Group stage
West Region Group A
Group B
Group C
Ranking of second-placed teams
East Region Group D
Group E
See also 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two 2026–27 AFC Women's Champions League
Notes
References
External links