Two Myanmar clubs will compete in the 2025–2026 AFC Challenge League, organized by the Asian Football Confederation. Shan United, who won the 2024–2025 MNL title, and Yangon United, the runners-up, will represent Myanmar in the competition.
The Asian Football Confederation restructured its club competitions last season and launched three separate tiers. Myanmar clubs are eligible to compete in the third-tier tournament, the AFC Challenge League. While only one Myanmar club was allowed in the previous season, this year, two clubs have earned the opportunity.
According to the AFC's format, Shan United, as league champions, will directly enter the group stage, while Yangon United, as runners-up, will start from the qualifying stage. Yangon United is scheduled to face Lao League champions Ezra FC on 12 August in Laos. A win would see them advance to the group stage.
The competition will be held across two zones. Myanmar clubs will participate in the East Asia Zone, where Shan United will be grouped with Svay Rieng (Cambodia), Dewa United (Indonesia) and two losing teams from the AFC Champions League Two play-offs: Manila Digger (Philippines) and Persik (Indonesia).
In the qualifying round, four teams will advance to the group stage: Yangon United (Myanmar) versus Ezra (Laos), Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia) versus Kasuka (Brunei) and two clubs each from Chinese Taipei and Mongolia. The qualifiers will be held on 12 August, and the group stage draw will take place on 28 August.
In the previous season, Shan United participated in the AFC Challenge League and advanced to the quarterfinals. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZL
