FAM revamps domestic football with nationwide league system

The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the domestic football system, introducing a new structure designed to give teams from all islands a fair and competitive pathway to the top tier, the Dhivehi Premier League.

This landmark change, introduced by FAM’s newly elected executive committee, aims to decentralize football development and ensure equal opportunities for clubs outside the capital. For decades, teams from Malé have dominated the top flight, leaving limited exposure for talented players from the islands and stunting the sport’s nationwide growth.

Under the revamped structure, four regional leagues have been established: the North League, Central League, South League, and Malé League.

Each island’s teams will begin competition at the atoll level. The top two teams from each atoll will progress to a sub-zone stage, and the top two from there will qualify for their respective regional league.

The champions of each regional league, four teams in total, will then enter the Dhivehi Premier League Qualification Tournament. They will be joined by the 7th and 8th placed teams from the current Premier League season. Out of these six teams, the top four will secure a spot in the next season's Dhivehi Premier League, joining the top six teams from this season. The bottom two teams will be relegated to their respective regional leagues.

The 2025/2026 Dhivehi Premier League will kick off on September 18 and feature 10 clubs: Maziya, Valencia, Victory, United Victory, Eagles, Buru, SUS, TC Sports, and Odi Sports.

Ahead of the league’s start, the Charity Shield match, the traditional season opener, will take place on September 15.

As part of the newly released football calendar, FAM has also announced the return of women’s football, with a tournament set to begin on December 1, the first women’s competition in over a decade.

In addition, FAM plans to host a beach soccer tournament and a special Diamond Jubilee Tournament next year to commemorate 75 years of Maldivian football.