AFC Challenge League 2026-27 draw: All you need to know
FC Goa will play AFC Challenge League 2026-27.
What could have been a night of double delight for the Indian football fans was just limited to just one as out of two Indian clubs only East Bengal FC managed to win their AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage match and seal their spot in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27.
The other club, FC Goa lost their AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage tie against FK Arkadag 3-0 at the Arkadag Stadium in Turkmenistan and could not seal their spot in AFC Champions League Two 2026-27.
However, this does not mean that the Gaurs will not represent India at the continental stage. FC Goa will now compete in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27, the third division of Asian club football. FC Goa have been put in Pot 1 of the West zone which also comprises of Al-Arabi SC, the Kuwaiti side who lost to East Bengal FC.
In this article we will take a look at when and where will the draw for AFC Challenge League 2026-27 take place and also look at the pots along with the streaming details.
What is AFC Challenge League?
The AFC Challenge League is the third-tier men’s club competition in Asia organised by AFC. The league sits behind AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two in hierarchy.
The main aim of this tournament is to provide clubs from Asian nations to get consistent continental competition. The tournament is divided into two regions geographically West and East.
The draw to take place in Malaysia
The participants of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL) 2026-27 are all set to discover their fate at the Group Stage Draw on August 20 (Thursday) at 3pm (12:30 pm IST) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Seven clubs advanced from the Preliminary Stage to join the eight sides that were granted direct entry to the Group Stage and the two eliminated teams from the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Preliminary Stage (West) which include FC Goa.
An additional three clubs will be confirmed following the completion of the remaining Preliminary Stage matches in the East.
The teams participating will be divided into five groups of four, three in the West, two in the East and will battle in a single round-robin centralised league format in the Group Stage from October 17 to 24, 2026.
Following the Group Stage round, the quarterfinals and semifinals will both be a double-legged affairs and are set for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027, respectively, with the final of the tournament scheduled for May 8.
Division of pots
There are two divisions based on geography, one from the East and the other from the West.
The East region has 8 teams participating and are divided into 4 pots with 2 teams in each pot. Whereas the West region has 12 teams participating divided in 4 pots with 3 teams in each pot.
The Gaurs are in pot 1 of the West region alongside Al-Arabi SC (Kuwait) and Ahal FC (Turkmenistan). Five teams are debuting this time in AFC Challenge League, they are: Ahal FC, Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC, FC Goa, New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC and Qadsia SC.
Qadsia SC, FC Istiklol, Paro FC, Borneo FC Samarinda and Shan United FC will serve as centralised hosts for the Group Stage.
West
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Arabi SC (KUW) | Qadsia SC (KUW) | FC Istiklol (TJK) | Paro FC (BHU) |
| FC Goa (IND) | Al Ansar FC (LBN) | Fortis FC (BAN) | FC Regar-Tadaz (TJK) |
| Ahal FC (TKM) | Nejmeh SC (LBN) | Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR) | Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR) |
East
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persib Bandung (IDN)/Manila Digger (PHI) | One Taguig FC (PHI) | Tainan City FC (TPE) | Yangon United FC (MYA)/Ezra FC (LAO) |
| Borneo FC Samarinda (IDN)* | Shan United FC (MYA)* | New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE) | Kasuka FC (BRU)/Karketu Dili FC (TLS) |
When and where to watch the draw live?
The Group Stage draw ceremony for AFC Challenge League 2026-27 will take place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 3pm (12:30 pm IST).
Fans can watch the draw live on The AFC Hub YouTube Channel.
When will AFC Challenge League 2026-27 start?
The AFC Challenge League 2026-27 will start on October 17th.
When will the draw for AFC Challenge League 2026-27 tale place?
The Group Stage draw ceremony for AFC Challenge League 2026-27 will take place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 3pm (12:30 pm IST).
Which Pot are FC Goa placed in?
FC Goa are placed in Pot 1 of West region.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.