12 teams confirmed for 2026-2027 Malaysian Super League season

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has confirmed that 12 teams will vie for the championship in the 2026-2027 Super League season, with the new campaign set to kick off on August 21. The defending champions, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), are poised to defend their title, but they anticipate stiff competition from major challengers including Kuching City FC, Selangor FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC, Terengganu FC, and Sabah FC.

Joining the league are Star City FC, rebranded from Imigresen FC, alongside Negeri Sembilan FC, Penang FC, DPMM FC, and Melaka FC. However, the final slot remains in question as PDRM FC's status is pending a decision from the independent First Instance Body (FIB) this Thursday. PDRM FC was initially granted a license with a sanction, requiring them to submit additional information by July 15 to meet financial and infrastructure criteria.

“

The FIB's decision on PDRM FC's status will also be considered by the MFL Board of Directors, who will take a comprehensive view of the club's readiness and sustainability in managing its operations throughout the 2026-2027 season.

MFL stated that the FIB's decision will be a key consideration for the league's board of directors before a final decision is made on PDRM FC's participation. If PDRM FC fails to meet the requirements, the last Super League spot is expected to go to Kelantan Red Warrior FC, who are considered the frontrunners despite finishing fourth in the A1 Semi-Pro League last season. They have reportedly completed all necessary financial documentation, putting them in a stronger position than UM Damansara United FC and Bunga Raya FC, who also applied for a spot.

MFL believes that having 12 teams will positively impact the league's ecosystem, as only clubs meeting licensing, financial, and infrastructure standards will be allowed to compete. This reduction in teams is expected to mitigate the risk of financially unstable clubs participating and aligns with the implementation of Financial Fair Play (FFP), emphasizing prudent financial management, consistent salary payments, and operational sustainability. Furthermore, it is anticipated to lower operational costs due to fewer matches and a more organized schedule, contributing to a higher quality, sustainable, and competitive Malaysian League.

“

The participation of 12 teams is seen as having a positive impact on the league ecosystem, as only clubs that truly meet licensing, financial, and infrastructure requirements are allowed to compete.