League II 2026 Group B Round 1 Recap

**League 2 – Group B (2026)

Round 1 Recap**

The 2026 League 2 – Group B season kicked off with an explosive opening round as clubs began the long road through a 46-round campaign. With promotion to the World Premier League, playoff spots, cup qualification, and relegation all in play, Round 1 immediately delivered clear statements of intent.

🏆 Competition Format Reminder

• 1st place: Automatic promotion to the World Premier League

• 2nd–9th: Qualify for the Playoffs

• 10th: Qualifies for the Friendly Cup

• 11th: Qualifies for the King’s Cup

• 23rd–24th: Relegated to League III

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🔝 Perfect Starts at the Top

A strong group of clubs opened the season with wins and 3 points, setting an early pace in Group B:

• FC KA (BRA) takes early control of the table after a commanding 4–1 victory, leading on goal difference.

• Hannover 96 (GER) and Busan I’Park FC (SK) followed closely with impressive 4–2 wins, showing early attacking intent.

• Blackburn (UK), Deportivo FAS (GT), FC Schalke 04 (GER), Atlético Mineiro (BRA), and Stade Brestois 29 (FRA) also claimed valuable opening-day victories.

With so many teams level on points, the promotion race is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in League 2.

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⚖️ Shared Points in the Middle

Several sides began their campaigns with draws, placing themselves firmly in the playoff and cup discussion:

• Lille OSC (FRA) earned a high-scoring 3–3 draw, narrowly missing out on all three points.

• Desna (UKR), AS Monaco (FRA), Real Betis (SPA), Charlton (UK), Vasco da Gama (BRA), Atalanta BC (ITA), and C.D. Santa Clara (POR) also settled for one point.

These clubs currently occupy key mid-table positions where momentum in the coming rounds could quickly translate into playoff contention.

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🔻 Early Pressure at the Bottom

Round 1 proved difficult for several teams who find themselves in trouble early:

• Arminia (GER), Inter (ITA), Cagliari Calcio (ITA), Africa Sports FC (IVC), Philadelphia Ukrainians, and FC Porto (POR) all opened with defeats.

• Spartak (GRE) and ACF Fiorentina (ITA) sit in the relegation zone after heavy losses, highlighting the immediate danger at the foot of the table.

With relegation decided over a long season, recovery is possible — but early setbacks can be costly in such a competitive group.

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🔮 Looking Ahead

After just one round:

• The promotion battle is already tightly packed.

• The playoff zone (2nd–9th) remains wide open.

• The fight to escape the bottom two relegation spots has begun earlier than expected.

With 45 matches still to play, consistency will define who rises and who falls in League 2 – Group B. Round 2 promises more movement as teams look to either build momentum or erase early damage.