Kolkata: Bhutan’s who’re also the hosts, are drawn along with Ahak FK (Turkmenistan), Al Ansar FC (Lebanon) and Al Ahli of Aleppo SC (Syria) in Group A of AFC Challenge League 2026. They’ll host the centralized group matches at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Paro FC is a Bhutanese professional football club based in Paro that competes in the Bhutan Premier League, the top level of Bhutanese football, established in 2018.
Paro FC competed in the 2018 Bhutan National League after beating Paro United in the qualifying tournament, and finished the season as runners-up behind Transport United. In 2019, the club reached the semi-finals of the first-ever Samtse Championship. During the same season, Paro won its first national league title by winning the 2019 edition of the Bhutan Premier League.
In August 2024, Paro made headlines by signing Japanese international Keisuke Honda, who joined the club on a one-match contract to play in the AFC Challenge League play-off against Nepalese side Church Boys United.
They have won Bhutan Premier League six times, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Gold Cup in 2019.
They competed in AFC Cup 2020, 2022, 2023-24. In 2024-25 AFC Challenge League Group stage they fought for 2-2 draw against Indian iconic club East Bengal’s and defeated Bangladeshi club Basundhara Kings 2-1. They entered the Group Stage defeating Nepal’s Church Boys United.
Even in 2025-26 AFC Challenge League, they qualified for Group Stage again defeating Afghanistan club Abu Muslim. In group stage they fought valiantly but couldn’t register a win, with their best result being a 3-3 tie against Kyrgyzstan club FC Abdysh-Ata.
Paro FC features a dynamic mix of international talent and key Bhutanese national players who drive the team’s success in the Bhutan Premier League and continental play. Players like Evans Asante, Yuta Mishima, Kinga Wangchuk, Tariq Kazi, Taiga Kitajima, Sidiki Jawara provide depth and strength to the squad for a brave fight in Continental stage.
Paro FC qualified for the 2026/27 AFC Challenge League group stage after defeating Afghanistan’s Abu Muslim Farah FC 2–0. This marks their third consecutive appearance in the group stage of the continental competition.
The single round-robin West Region group fixtures are scheduled to take place from 17 October to 23 October 2026. The draw saw 20 teams divided into five groups of four — three in the West and two in the East.
Paro FC will start their campaign against Ahal FK on October 17. They’ll play second match against Al Ansar on October 20. Their final game will be against Al Ittihad of Aleppo SC on October 23.
This will give Bhutanese fans to witness international stadium on home soil. With AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in August – September, AFC Challenge League in October, it will be an international Football carnival at beautiful country of Bhutan, and Football just reaching new heights there.
The winner of Group A, alongside other group winners and the best runners-up, will advance to the home-and-away knockout Quarter-finals scheduled for March 2027.
In the West, the three group winners and the best ranked runners-up among all groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. In the East, the group winners and runners-up will make it to the last eight. The quarter-finals and semi-finals — both double-legged affairs — are set for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027, respectively, with the final slated for May 8.
AFC Challenge League 2026-27 Group Stage Draw Result
Group A: Ahal FK (TKM), Al Ansar FC (LBN), Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR), Paro FC (BHU) (hosts)
Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW), Nejmeh SC (LBN), FC Istiklol (TJK) (hosts), Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR)
Group C: FC Goa (IND), Qadsia SC (KUW) (hosts), Fortis FC (BAN), FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)
Group D: Borneo FC Samarinda (IDN) (hosts), One Taguig FC (PHI), Tainan City FC (TPE), Yangon United FC (MYA)/Ezra FC (LAO)
Group E: Persib Bandung (IDN)/Manila Digger (PHI), Shan United FC (MYA) (hosts), New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC (TPE), Kasuka FC (BRU)/Karketu Dili FC (TLS).
