NEW DELHI, AUG 20 (PTI): FC Goa were clubbed with Qadsia SC of Kuwait, Fortis FC of Bangladesh and FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan in a tricky group in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 after the draw was held in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
After losing to FK Arkadag of Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage last Wednesday, FC Goa dropped to the group stage of the AFC Challenge League, Asia’s third-tier men’s club competition.
Qadsia SC and Fortis FC finished third in the Kuwaiti Premier League 2025-26 and the Bangladesh Football League 2025-26 respectively, while FC Regar-TadAZ were the Tajikistan Cup 2025 winners.
The draw saw 20 teams divided into five groups of four — three in the West and two in the East.
They will compete in a single round-robin centralised league format in the group stage from October 17 to 24, 2026.
The Gaurs will travel to Kuwait, where Qadsia SC will host all Group C matches.
In the West, the three group winners and the best ranked runners-up among all groups will qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the East, the group winners and runners-up will make it to the last eight.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals — both double-legged affairs — are set for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027, respectively, with the final slated for May 8.
Friday, August 21, 2026