Published: 11:02 AM, 22 August 2026
Fortis FC drawn in group C in AFC Challenge League
Fortis FC have been drawn in Group C of the final round of AFC Challenge League alongside India's FC Goa, Tajikistan's FC Regar-TadAZ and hosts Qadsia SC of Kuwait after the draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.
The 20 teams were divided in groups of four - three in the West Zone and two in the East and will compete in a single-round-robin, centralised league format in the group stage.
Bangladesh have been placed in the West Zone of the AFC Challenge League. In the West Zone, the three group winners and the best-ranked runners-up among all groups will qualify for the quarterfinals. In the East, the group winners and runners-up will make it to the last eight.
The group stage will be played on October 17 to 24, 2026, with the Quarter-finals and semi-finals - both double-legged affairs - scheduled for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027 respectively, with the final slated for May 8.
Earlier, Fortis FC of Bangladesh secured their AFC Challenge League Group Stage berth after defeating Kyrgyz Republic's Muras United 1-0 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.
Fortis broke the deadlock after a goalless first half with Mohammad Ibrahim scoring off a wonderful layoff from Pa Omar Babou to seal the win.
Fortis, who are featuring in the tournament for the first time, almost made a fine start in the opening minute when Pa Omar Babou found space at the top of the area before drilling a powerful shot wide.
Fortis survived a scare in the 75th minute after they conceded a penalty only for Atabayev to strike his spot-kick against the left post as the Bangladesh side held on to seal the win.
