16 Clubs Begin Plotting For FA Cup 2026-2027

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Sixteen clubs have begun plotting their strategies after today's FA Cup 2026-2027 draw paved the way for several intriguing clashes in the Round of 16, scheduled to begin next September.

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) said in a statement that the 36th edition of the tournament will see four A1 Semi Pro League representatives -- Kedah FA, Perak FA, UM-Damansara United and Kelantan City FC -- test their mettle against 12 Super League teams in a bid to reach the quarter-finals.

The top eight teams in the 2025-2026 Super Leagueseason -- defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Kuching City FC, Selangor FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC, Terengganu FC, Star City FC, Negeri Sembilan FC and Penang FC -- have been seeded and will begin their campaigns as away teams.

Meanwhile, Sabah FC, DPMM FC and Melaka FC, who finished in the bottom three positions of the  Super League last season, together with newly promoted Kelantan Red Warrior FC and the four A1 Semi Pro League representatives, will play as the hosts.

The draw, conducted by former JDT captain Safiq Rahim and Malayan Tigress player Intan Serah, saw the clash between Sabah FC and Selangor FC emerge as one of the highlights of the round.

DPMM FC were drawn against two-time champions Terengganu FC in their second FA Cup appearance, with both teams determined to improve on last season's performance after being eliminated by Kuching City FC in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.

Melaka FC will also face Penang FC in a repeat of last season's encounter, when the Panthers thrashed the Melaka side 5-0 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Defending champions JDT will once again face UM-Damansara United, repeating last season's Round of 16 meeting which saw the Southern Tigers prevail 10-3 on aggregate.

The three other ties involving A1 Semi ProLeague representatives will see Kedah FA face Star City FC, Perak FA take on Kuala Lumpur City FC, and Kelantan City FC host Negeri Sembilan FC.

Newly promoted Kelantan Red Warrior FC, who moved up to the Super League this season, face a major challenge when they host Kuching City FC, last season's Super League runners-up.

After 35 editions, JDT, who were crowned champions last season, now share the record of five FA Cup titles with Selangor FC and Kedah Darul Aman FC as the teams with the most titles.

The Round of 16 matches of the 2026-2027 FA Cup are scheduled to be played over two legs this September, followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals, while the final is scheduled for January 2027.

-- BERNAMA