Arab Showdowns Fire Up the AFC Asian Challenge Cup Kickoff

Group 1 Preview

On Saturday, Kuwait’s own Kuwait SC and Al Kuwait, together with Al Seeb and Shabab of Oman, head into the AFC Asian Challenge Cup 2025-26 looking for a strong start as the group stage unfolds. The competition, rebranded from the AFC President’s Cup in 2024-25, features 20 clubs distributed evenly across five groups, with three groups in the West and two in the East, playing a single-round league format.

Group 1 matches are staged at Changlimthang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, with Shabab Al-Omani taking on Paro FC in the opening game. Shabab Oman recently claimed their first Sultan Cup title in 2024-25, while Paro FC is back in continental action after sweeping their domestic league, chasing a new milestone on the Asian stage. The opening day also includes a clash between Altin Asyr of Turkmenistan and Abdish Ata of Kyrgyzstan; Altin Asyr are a domestic powerhouse with eight Turkmen league crowns, though they finished third last season, while Abdish Ata has won the Kyrgyz league three straight times and previously beat Altin Asyr in AFC Cup competition.

Group 1 action continues with more contrast as the Kyrgyz side Abdish Ata battles Altin Asyr, setting up a narrative of experience versus consistency that fans love to follow.

Group 2 Preview

The second group’s games take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Stadium in Salmiya, Kuwait. The schedule kicks off with a meeting between Oman’s Saham SC? or Seeb SC and Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, a pairing that promises end-to-end football and tactical chess matches. Seeb clinched the Omani league title for the second time last season, while Bashundhara Kings claimed the Bangladesh Cup for the fourth time in 2024-25 after finishing third in the domestic league.

Nicola Darovic, Seeb’s head coach, spoke at the opening press conference: “The match won’t be easy, but we’re aiming for all three points. We’ll take it one game at a time and push step by step in the tournament. The squad is fully prepared and hungry for success.”

Abdullah Fawaz, a Seeb player, added: “We appreciate Kuwait’s hospitality and are focused entirely on tomorrow’s game. We want to represent Oman with pride and shine a light on Omani football.”

In the same group, a notable clash features Anṣar of Lebanon against Kuwait SC. Anṣar claimed their domestic league title for the 15th time, ending a four-year trophy drought, while Kuwait won their local league crown for the 20th time last season. Kuwait’s coach Nebojša Yovović (Nebojsa Yovović) stressed: “We have a huge responsibility to represent Kuwait in this competition, and we believe we can deliver.” He invited Kuwaiti football fans and all lovers of the game to watch the matches in the unique atmosphere of this venue.

Mashari Ghnam, Kuwait’s player, added: “We’re ready to feature in the AFC Asian Challenge Cup. We respect every team in the group and are focused on qualification, with progress to be discussed after that.”

He concluded: “Our fans are used to backing us; we expect them in the stands to support us in this important continental chapter.”

Group 3 Preview

Group 3 fixtures are hosted at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The opening match pairs Safa of Lebanon against Al-Arabi of Kuwait, a meeting between a Lebanese side that finished second in the Lebanese league last season and the Kuwaiti side that reached the AFC Cup semifinals in 2024-25. Safa’s entry marks their first continental appearance since 2014’s AFC Cup knockout stages, while Al-Arabi looks to add depth to a competitive Gulf region resume.

Marco Alves, the Arab coach, expressed optimism: “I’m delighted to be part of this important tournament. The squad is well prepared to compete; we aim to reach the quarterfinals and then take it from there, focusing on each game from now.”

Safa’s keeper Suleiman Abdulghafour noted: “The road ahead will be tough, and we’ll face three strong teams. We’re working hard and hoping for everything to go smoothly.”

Also on Group 3’s schedule is a clash between Moras United of Kyrgyzstan and Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan, two teams with proud histories in their countries’ football. Moras United, founded in 2023, are chasing a first major continental footprint after winning a domestic cup and achieving their best league finish. Regar-TadAZ, a Tajik powerhouse with three AFC Cup titles to their name, are eager to extend their modern-era record by clinching a fourth crown in their fifth appearance.

Marquee group-stage action arrives with a blend of youth, experience and regional bragging rights, as football fans across Asia tune in for a tournament that continues to grow in stature and regional importance.

Punchlines: 1) If tactical chess were a sport, these groups would be the grandmasters' tournament. 2) In football, the ball never lies—except when it’s pretending to be a pastry in a referee’s lunch break.