League II 2026 Group A Round 7 Recap

League II – Group A

2026 Season • Round 7 Recap

After seven rounds, Fortaleza (BRA) are setting the early pace and currently sit top of the table, putting themselves in the automatic promotion spot to the World Premier League. With 5 wins from 7, a strong goal difference, and consistent form, Fortaleza look like the team everyone else will be chasing — though with 39 rounds still to play, nothing is locked in yet.

Hot on their heels are AC Milan (ITA) and Cartaginés (CTR), both level near the top and firmly entrenched in the playoff positions (2nd–9th). Milan’s form has been particularly strong, especially away from home, while Cartaginés continue to be one of the most balanced sides in the group.

Playoff Zone Battle (2nd–9th)

The playoff places are already turning into a traffic jam:

• Ajax (NEATH) and Pachuca (MEX) round out the current top five, both showing solid consistency.

• Vancouver Whitecaps, Chankas CYC, Zout Puissant Mazembe, and Caracas FC complete the playoff bracket for now.

• Vancouver’s recent dip in form is worth watching — still in the mix, but momentum is fragile.

Every point matters here. With eight teams qualifying for the playoffs, this zone will likely remain extremely fluid well into the midseason.

Midtable Pressure: Cups on the Line

• 10th place – Sol de América (PAR) currently holds the Friendly Cup qualification spot.

• 11th place – Bahia (BRA) sits just below, which would earn a place in the King’s Cup.

Both spots might not seem glamorous, but they’re meaningful targets for teams that fall short of playoff contention. Expect heavy competition around these positions as the season develops.

Relegation Trouble Already Brewing

At the bottom, warning lights are flashing:

• Defence Force (TB) and Raja (MOR) occupy the final two positions, which would mean relegation to League III if the season ended now.

• Raja, in particular, are struggling badly defensively, already posting one of the worst goal differences in the group.

Just above them, FC Midtjylland (DK) and Al Ahly SC (EG) aren’t safe either — one bad run could drag them straight into the drop zone.

---

Big Picture Takeaway

Seven rounds in, the league is starting to take shape:

• Fortaleza lead the promotion charge

• Positions 2–9 are packed and ultra-competitive

• 10th and 11th offer consolation cups but little margin for error

• The bottom two already face serious relegation pressure

With 39 rounds still to go, form swings, injuries, and squad depth will decide everything — but Round 7 has given us our first real sense of who’s built for the long haul and who’s already fighting uphill.

League II Group A is officially on. 🔥⚽