FAM has launched a national FA Cup open to clubs from the Premiership down to district leagues, with 99 teams in its first season. It published the competition’s information pack on Wednesday, and the final is set for 20 March 2027.
Malawi has had no national cup since Castel’s sponsorship of the Challenge Cup ended and FDH Bank moved its money to the top-flight league, Nyasa Times reported. FAM will name the sponsor on Friday 20 November, at the draw for the regional playoffs.
Key facts
- 99 teams, from the 16 Premiership clubs to 31 district champions
- Regional playoffs pick 16 qualifiers, four from each region
- They join the Premiership clubs in a round of 32
- Sponsor announced on 20 November; final on 20 March 2027
Who gets in
Everyone except the Premiership clubs plays regional playoffs in the Northern, Central, Southern and Eastern regions. Nyasa Times reported that the National Division sides go in automatically, but FAM’s own graphic puts them in the playoffs. The top eight Premiership teams at the end of the first round will be seeded in the national draw.
Key dates
FAM’s pack sets out these dates:
Only players registered on FAM’s Mpira Connect system will be eligible, the pack says.
Why it matters
FAM calls the cup a way to find talent and grow clubs, and says it could lead to continental football, subject to qualification and licensing rules. Analyst Parry Chinyama told Nyasa Times the winners could earn a place in the CAF Confederation Cup. Analyst George Chiusiwa welcomed the extra competitive games and urged FAM to keep the competition’s name the same whoever sponsors it.
See where your club stands in the Super League table, since the top eight after the first round get seeded.
