The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has finalized the promotion and relegation rules for its various youth and senior divisions and leagues, confirming that the competition system will remain unchanged for the upcoming 2026-2027 football season. This decision outlines the mechanisms for clubs moving between tiers across the professional and amateur structures. The FAF has officially approved these promotion and relegation mechanisms, ensuring clarity and stability for the new season. In the senior professional leagues, three clubs are slated for promotion from the Second League to the First Professional League. These will include the leaders of both the Center-East and Center-West groups, in addition to the victor of the designated 'promotion play-off' tournament. This structured approach aims to maintain a clear pathway for clubs aspiring to reach the top flight of Algerian football.
Details for Lower Divisions
In the Second Division, clubs finishing in the 14th, 15th, and 16th positions within each group are slated for relegation to the Inter-Regional League. This measure ensures that underperforming teams are demoted to a lower tier, making way for new talent. Conversely, six group leaders will secure promotion to the Second Division for the 2026-2027 season, reflecting their success in their respective leagues. An exception applies to the South-West group, where promotion will be determined by a championship play-off involving the first and second-placed teams from each of its sub-groups, adding an extra layer of competition for clubs in that region.
Regarding relegation to the regional leagues, the teams ranked 14th, 15th, and 16th from each group will be demoted to the regional championships. This consistent application of relegation criteria across divisions shows the FAF's commitment to competitive integrity. A specific rule applies to the South-West group in this tier: the 8th-placed team from each sub-group will be relegated, alongside the worst-ranked 7th-placed team across the sub-groups, noting a more stringent approach to maintaining quality in that particular regional structure.
Competition System Stability
The 'promotion play-off' tournament, which is a key component of the promotion system, will be contested by the second and third-placed teams from each group. This format provides an additional opportunity for teams that narrowly missed direct promotion to compete for a coveted spot in the higher division. The Algerian Federation emphasized that all leagues must finalize and publicly release their promotion and relegation mechanisms before the start of the football season. This measure aligns with Article 48 of the amateur championships law, aiming to prevent complications and disputes at the season's conclusion by ensuring transparency from the outset. By mandating early publication, the FAF seeks to foster a fair and predictable competitive environment for all participating clubs. The federation also published the schedule for the second round of the First Professional League, providing clarity on upcoming fixtures and allowing clubs and fans to plan accordingly.
Women's League Changes
In the First Professional League and the Second League for women's football, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has determined that three clubs will face relegation from the First Professional League to the Second National Division at the close of the current season. These will be the teams finishing in the 14th, 15th, and 16th positions. This decision reflects the competitive nature of the women's professional league and the need for performance-based movement between divisions. For the National Women's Football League, clubs occupying the 12th, 13th, and 14th positions in the First Division championship will be relegated, ensuring a clear standard for retention in the top tier. Conversely, three clubs will be promoted to the First Division, specifically the leaders from each of the Second Division groups, recognizing their achievements and supporting the growth of women's football by bringing successful teams into the higher echelons.
