League II 2026 Group C Round 8 Recap

League II – Group C

Round 8 Recap (46-Round Season)

With eight rounds completed, Group C continues to be tightly contested, featuring a strong leader at the top, an intense playoff battle, and early relegation concerns at the bottom.

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🥇 Automatic Promotion (1st Place)

Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) remain top of Group C after Round 8 and currently hold the automatic promotion spot to the World Premier League. Still unbeaten, Vélez have combined solid defense with timely goals to stay ahead of the chasing pack, though the margin remains slim.

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🔥 Playoff Zone (2nd–9th)

The playoff race is extremely competitive, with very little separating the contenders:

• Limón FC (CTR) continue to apply pressure in second place, staying unbeaten and firmly in the promotion hunt.

• FC Toulouse (FRA) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) remain consistent and well positioned inside the top four.

• Cruzeiro (BRA) have rebounded well and sit comfortably in the playoff zone.

• Everton (UK), CSKA Moscow (RUS), and Braga (POR) currently complete the top nine, all within touching distance of the top three.

One strong run of form could easily propel any of these teams closer to the automatic promotion spot.

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🎟️ Special Qualification Spots

• 10th place – Friendly Cup: Santos (BRA) sit just outside the playoff positions and would qualify for the Friendly Cup if the season ended now.

• 11th place – King’s Cup: Toluca (MEX) currently occupy the King’s Cup position, narrowly missing out on postseason play.

Both clubs remain well within reach of the playoff places as the season develops.

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⚠️ Relegation Zone

At the bottom of the table, early danger signs are evident:

• CF Montreal (USA) and Red Bull Bragantino (BRA) occupy the final two places and are currently set for relegation to League III.

• Teams just above them, including Real Salt Lake (USA) and C.D. Numancia (SPA), will be eager to create separation from the drop zone.

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📊 Overall Outlook

With 38 rounds still to play, nothing is settled in Group C. Vélez Sarsfield have made a strong early statement, but the playoff race remains extremely tight, and the relegation battle is already heating up. Consistency over the next stretch will be crucial in shaping promotion ambitions and survival hopes alike.