Round 4 of the League III Season 2026 campaign delivered another busy slate of 13 matches, with the promotion race beginning to take shape. With 50 rounds in the season, there is still a long way to go, but the current table already shows a clear divide between the automatic promotion spot, the playoff positions, and the cup qualification places.
Toronto FC Stay on Top
Toronto FC strengthened their position at the summit with an impressive 4–2 victory away to SC Heerenveen. Toronto's perfect recent form continues, and their No. 1 ranking gives them the all-important automatic promotion place to League II.
Heerenveen, meanwhile, remain down in 21st, outside all qualification places.
Iquique Move Into Second
Deportes Iquique enjoyed one of the biggest results of the round, defeating Shandong Luneng Taishan 3–2. The victory puts Iquique in 2nd place, firmly inside the playoff positions and just behind Toronto in the promotion race.
Shandong's defeat leaves them in 20th, a disappointing position for a team that will need a major turnaround to get into the playoff picture.
Coquimbo Hold a Playoff Place
Coquimbo Unido continued their strong campaign with a 3–1 win over AS Dakar Sacré-Cœur. Coquimbo now sit 3rd, giving them an excellent early position in the race for the second promotion spot.
Dakar fall to 8th, but remain safely inside the playoff zone.
Pirata FC Win Again
Pirata FC defeated RB Leipzig 2–1, moving into 4th place. Pirata are therefore in an excellent position to challenge for promotion through the playoffs.
Leipzig drop to 10th, putting them just outside the playoff positions and into the Friendly Cup qualification spot.
Köln and Raja Remain in the Playoff Race
FC Köln drew 2–2 with Dynamo Moscow and remain in 5th place. The point keeps Köln comfortably within the playoff group, although they will be looking for more victories in the coming rounds.
Raja suffered one of the round's tougher defeats, losing 3–1 to Casa Sports. Despite the setback, Raja remain 6th and therefore still occupy a playoff position.
Casa's victory lifts them to 17th, just outside the playoffs and currently in the Friendly Cup qualification zone.
Audax and CSKA Complete the Playoff Picture
Audax Italiano defeated Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 2–2? — actually, this match finished 2–2, giving both teams a point. Audax remain in 7th, while Guangzhou sit 18th.
Meanwhile, PFC CSKA Moscow drew 2–2 with Union Berlin. CSKA are currently 9th, meaning they hold the final playoff position. Union Berlin are 19th and remain well outside the qualification places.
The current playoff positions are therefore:
2. Deportes Iquique
3. Coquimbo Unido
4. Pirata FC
5. FC Köln
6. Raja
7. Audax Italiano
8. AS Dakar Sacré-Cœur
9. PFC CSKA Moscow
All eight teams are currently chasing the second promotion spot through the playoffs.
Middle of the Table
Viking FK drew 2–2 with FC Akron Tolyatti. Viking sit 11th, which currently places them in the King's Cup qualification positions, while Akron are 16th, still inside the playoff cutoff.
Dynamo Moscow are 13th, while Cobresal occupy 14th following their 1–1 draw with ASC La Linguère, leaving both teams outside the playoff positions.
Chaco Petrolero drew 3–3 with Club Deportivo Palestino. Chaco are 15th, while Palestino sit 25th.
Bottom of the Table
The bottom portion of the standings remains extremely competitive.
Atlético Ottawa drew 2–2 with Excelsior Rotterdam, leaving Ottawa in 23rd and Excelsior in 26th.
Defence Force defeated AZ Alkmaar 2–1, but the victory was not enough to lift them out of 22nd. AZ are currently 24th.
These teams are currently outside the main qualification positions, but importantly, there is no relegation in League III. The bottom teams therefore do not face relegation pressure and can concentrate entirely on climbing the table.
Round 4 Qualification Picture
After four rounds, the table's important zones look like this:
- 🥇 1st — Toronto FC: Automatic promotion to League II
- 🏆 2nd–9th: Promotion playoffs
- 🤝 10th — RB Leipzig: Friendly Cup
- 👑 11th–12th: King's Cup
- 📉 13th–26th: Outside the qualification places
- 🚫 No relegation: Bottom positions are safe from relegation
Toronto are the early team to beat, while Iquique, Coquimbo, Pirata, Köln, Raja, Audax, Dakar and CSKA currently make up the playoff field.
At the other end, Excelsior, AZ Alkmaar, Atlético Ottawa, Defence Force and Club Deportivo Palestino have the most ground to make up. With 46 rounds still remaining, however, there is plenty of time for the standings to change dramatically.
Round 4 has established the early contenders, but the long 50-round League III marathon is only getting started.
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