Group D kicked off the 2026 League III season with an entertaining opening round that featured attacking football, several narrow victories, and one emphatic statement win. With 50 rounds in the season, clubs know there is a long road ahead, but earning three points on opening day is always a valuable start in the chase for promotion.
Matchday Results
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AIK Fotboll (SWE) 2-6 Älvdals IK (SWE)
The surprise of the opening weekend. Älvdals IK put together a ruthless attacking performance, scoring six goals away from home to immediately become one of the early teams to watch. -
Arameisk-Syrianska IF (SWE) 2-3 Municipal Pérez Zeledón (CTR)
Pérez Zeledón edged a competitive contest, earning an important away victory. -
Mushuc Runa S.C. (ECU) 2-1 A.D. San Carlos (CTR)
Mushuc Runa protected home field with a disciplined performance to begin the season with three points. -
L.D.U. Quito (ECU) 4-3 Olimpia F.C. (HON)
One of the best matches of Round 1 saw LDU Quito survive a late fightback in an exciting seven-goal thriller. -
Independiente del Valle (ECU) 2-2 C.D. Dandy (HON)
Both clubs opened their campaigns with a point after an evenly contested draw. -
Metropolitanos F.C. (VEN) 2-1 CD Choloma (HON)
Metropolitanos earned a hard-fought victory thanks to a strong second-half effort. -
Zamora F.C. (VEN) 2-3 K.R.C. Genk (BEL)
Genk collected an impressive road win after edging an entertaining five-goal encounter. -
Deportivo Táchira F.C. (VEN) 2-1 Canon Yaoundé (CMR)
Táchira made a winning start with a solid home performance. -
Defensa y Justicia (ARG) 2-1 R.S.C. Anderlecht (BEL)
The Argentine side earned three valuable points by narrowly defeating the Belgian visitors. -
San Lorenzo de Almagro (ARG) 4-2 Bucha (UKR)
San Lorenzo showcased their attacking quality, scoring four goals in a convincing opening-day victory. -
Talleres de Córdoba (ARG) 1-1 Blooming (BOL)
A balanced contest ended with both teams sharing the spoils. -
Bentín Tacna Heroica (PER) 1-2 Centro Atlético Fénix (URU)
Fénix came away with a valuable away victory after a determined performance. -
Club Plaza Colonia de Deportes (URU) 3-2 Puntarenas F.C. (CTR)
Plaza Colonia closed out the opening weekend by claiming all three points in another entertaining five-goal match.
Early Promotion Picture
Only one round has been played, but several clubs have already positioned themselves inside the early playoff places (1st-9th).
Älvdals IK are the standout leaders after their spectacular 6-2 victory, giving them the best goal difference in the group. Close behind are fellow opening-day winners San Lorenzo de Almagro, L.D.U. Quito, Club Plaza Colonia, Municipal Pérez Zeledón, K.R.C. Genk, Defensa y Justicia, Deportivo Táchira, Metropolitanos, and Mushuc Runa, all of whom have made ideal starts.
Meanwhile, Independiente del Valle, C.D. Dandy, Talleres de Córdoba, and Blooming earned respectable draws that keep them within touching distance of the playoff positions.
The remaining clubs suffered opening defeats, but with 49 rounds still remaining, there is plenty of time to recover and climb the standings.
Season Outlook
The promotion race is only beginning, but every point counts in League III's long campaign:
- 1st place earns automatic promotion to League II.
- 2nd through 9th qualify for the promotion playoffs for the second promotion berth.
- 10th place secures a place in the Friendly Cup.
- 11th and 12th places qualify for the King's Cup.
- There is no relegation, allowing every club to continue building momentum throughout the 50-round season.
Round 1 delivered goals, drama, and a few surprise results, with Älvdals IK setting the early pace. However, with nearly the entire season still ahead, the battle for promotion and playoff positions is just getting underway.
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