The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed that the AFC Cup 2021 Playoff and Group Stage (South) matches will be held in the Maldives.

2016 AFC Cup runner-up JSW Bengaluru FC from India will take on Maldives’ Club Eagles on August 15 in the playoff match, with the winners joining India’s ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maziya Sports & Recreation from Maldives, and 2020-21 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners Bashundhara Kings in Group D.

The AFC Cup (South) Group D matches will be held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to the single-leg Inter Zone Semi Final.