League II 2026 Group D Round 1 Recap

**League 2 – Group D (2026)

Round 1 Recap**

The 2026 League 2 – Group D season kicked off with an intriguing opening round, beginning the long grind of a 46-round season where promotion dreams, playoff ambitions, cup qualification, and relegation survival are all on the line.

🏆 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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🔝 Winning Starts Set the Early Order

A diverse group of clubs opened their campaigns with strong performances and maximum points:

• Alto Perú (URU) sits atop Group D after a 3–1 victory, taking first place on goal difference.

• Guayaquil City (ECU) and FAR Rabat (MOR) followed closely with confident wins, keeping immediate pressure on the promotion spot.

• Al Masry SC (EGP), Club Destroyers (BOL), FC Nantes (FRA), and El Nacional (ECU) also claimed opening-day victories, rounding out the early playoff positions.

With seven teams level on three points, the early standings promise a tightly contested season.

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⚖️ Crowded Middle as Draws Dominate

A large portion of the table opened the season with draws, setting up an unpredictable mid-table battle:

• Bella Vista (URU) and Peñarol (URU) sit just outside the playoff places after sharing points.

• Corinthians (BRA) currently occupies 10th, earning a draw and securing the Friendly Cup qualification spot.

• Always Ready (BOL) is 11th, taking an early place in the King’s Cup.

• Al Mokawloon (EGP), AS Mónaco (FRA), Banfield (ARG), Aston Villa (UK), Atlético Osasuna (SPA), and K.R.C. Genk (BEL) also began with one point.

Turning draws into wins will be crucial in such a congested group.

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🔻 Early Setbacks at the Bottom

The opening round delivered difficult starts for several clubs:

• Rio Ave (POR), FSV Mainz 05 (GER), SV Meppen (GER), Real Sociedad (SPA), and Canon Yaoundé (CMR) all suffered opening defeats.

• Bolton Wanderers (UK) and Unión La Calera (CHI) occupy the relegation zone, leaving them with immediate pressure to respond in Round 2.

While it’s early in the season, falling into the bottom two even temporarily can be a psychological hurdle.

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🔮 Looking Ahead

After Round 1 in Group D:

• The promotion race is already competitive.

• The playoff zone (2nd–9th) is tightly packed.

• The battle to avoid the two relegation places has begun from day one.

With 45 rounds still to play, consistency and momentum will decide who rises toward the World Premier League and who slips toward League III.