Bangladesh Premier League runners-up Abahani Limited and third-place finishers Bashundhara Kings will play the preliminary round of Asia鈥檚 third-tier club competition, the AFC Challenge League, AFC said in a press release on Tuesday.听
Generally league champions from a country are eligible to participate in this competition of the continent. But, since current BPL champions Mohammedan Sporting Club could not acquire an AFC Club Licensing certificate, the option was passed up to second-placed Abahani, who already had the license.
It is understood that certain clubs from several other South Asian nations were unable to obtain an AFC license, which has created an additional slot for a Bangladeshi club based on the club ranking coefficient.听
And Kings, who also have the AFC license, were deemed the eligible candidate to fill one of those slots.
Abahani will face Paro FC of Bhutan at the National Stadium in Dhaka, while Kings will host Maziya Sports and Recreation Club of Maldives at the Kings Arena in their play-off matches on August 12.听
The winners of the preliminary round matches will advance to the group stage, which will begin on October 25 after the draw in late August.听
鈥楢 26-strong cast is slated to contest the ACGL 2025/26, which will see five entries from the West region and three from the East in the Group Stage that begins on October 25,鈥� said AFC in the media release.听
鈥楢 further 10 indirect entries will be involved in the Preliminary Stage [West], with eight clubs doing likewise in the East; match details will be finalised once all club entries are confirmed,鈥� it added.听
Aside from Bangladesh, there will be one representative each from the Maldives, Bhutan, and Afghanistan鈥攖hree additional South Asian nations鈥攊n the play-off round.听
Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan will not have any participants in any of the AFC competitions this year.
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