The Federation Cup, one of Bangladesh football’s most prestigious competitions, is set to begin on 23 September for the 2025–26 season. The draw, held on Saturday at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters, promised exciting clashes as defending champions Bashundhara Kings and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) winners Mohammedan Sporting Club were placed in the same group.
The meeting between Kings, who lifted the Federation Cup last season, and Mohammedan, fresh from their league triumph, is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
Group allocation
Group B: Bashundhara Kings, Mohammedan SC, Fortis FC, Bangladesh Police FC, Arambagh KS
Group A: Abahani Limited, Rahmatganj MFS, Brothers Union, Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club, PWD
Ten clubs have been split into two groups, with the top two from each progressing to the knockout stage. The group winners will contest Qualifier 1, with the victor moving directly into the final. The losing side will have another chance in Qualifier 2, facing the winner of the runners-up play-off. The winner of that tie will also reach the final.
Last season, Kings edged past Abahani in a penalty shootout in Mymensingh to claim the trophy. They now begin their campaign determined to defend the crown, while Mohammedan aim to build on their league success and assert further dominance in domestic football.
The new BPL season will commence on 26 September, running concurrently with the Federation Cup. League matches will be staged on fridays and saturdays, while Federation Cup fixtures are scheduled for tuesdays.
Altogether, five domestic tournaments are set for the new campaign. Following the Federation Cup, the Super Cup will take place, while the season will conclude with the Independence Cup, a competition reserved exclusively for local footballers.
