Fortis FC have been drawn in Group C of the AFC Challenge League alongside India’s FC Goa, Tajikistan’s FC Regar-TadAZ and hosts Qadsia SC of Kuwait following Thursday’s draw at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Seven clubs advanced from the preliminary stage to join eight teams granted direct entry to the group stage, while two sides eliminated in the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage (West) also joined the competition. Three additional clubs completed the 20-team group stage.

The participating clubs have been divided into five groups of four -- three in the West and two in the East -- and will compete in a single-round-robin, centralised league format from October 17 to 24, 2026.

The quarterfinals and semifinals, both played over two legs, are scheduled for March 3-18 and April 7-15, 2027, respectively, with the final set for May 8.

In the West Zone, the five group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the quarter-finals, while the top two teams from each of the East Zone's two groups will progress.