2025 has been a challenging year for most of the 10 teams we are writing about: Bourj FC, Cusco FC, Fayoum SC, Kamonyi FC, 1. FK Svidník, FK Tryavna 1922, Total Soccer, Maaraba SC, Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia, and Terrace Onions FC. There have been many ups and downs, so it is very difficult to draw an overall conclusion.
The two teams that play at the top level, Bourj FC and Cusco FC, had a good year. The situation is still very different for each of them. Cusco FC had indeed an excellent 2025 season, ending in second place in the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1), after winning the play-off to play directly in the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage. This actually equals the best performance of the club in history, as they finished second in three other occasions (2013, 2014, and 2017), but either after losing the play-off final for the title (2013 and 2014) or without any play-offs (2017). This was the second consecutive year with Argentinian manager Miguel Rondelli, and it was even better than the previous one, so we are witnessing an era of unusual stability for Cusco FC, which pays off in terms of results.
On the other hand, Bourj finished in great style the 2024-2025 season, in 7th place, which was the best achievable in the play-out, but the club is struggling financially. In summer, the financial situation was critical, and the club was barely able to start the new season (2025-2026). At the end of the regular season, they are in 10th place, right above the relegation line, and the situation is not as bad as it was in the previous season from the point of view of the regular season, but the club is once again facing financial bankruptcy. Support is needed quickly or the team may even withdraw from the competition.
The only team playing in the second tier, Kamonyi FC of Rwanda, had a rather poor year, finishing in 9th place (out of 13 teams) in Group B of the Second Division at the end of the 2024-2025 season. The situation is not very bright either in 2025-2026.
Total Soccer have recovered a little after a very poor 2024 season. This year, they managed a better performance in the Colombian Primera C (third tier), qualifying for the knock-out stages, but they were eventually eliminated in the third round. They also had good results in the Colombian Youth League.
Fayoum SC continue their downfall, with rather mediocre results in the Egyptian Second Division B (third tier), as they finished the 2024-2025 season in 8th place (out of 11), and they are equally meandering in the lower half of the table in the 2025-2026 season.
Terrace Onions FC were equally in the lower half of the table in the Bermudian Corona League (third tier) at the end of the 2024-2025 season, and they are not any better in 2025-2026.
The worst situation has been however registered by 1. FK Svidník, which withdrew at the beginning of spring from the Slovak 4th League, and were relegated straight to the lowest existing tier, which in their case is the local Svidník League (7th tier). Although big favorites to win the league and to promote, they seem to be unable to get things right even at this very low level, and they are only 6th (out of 12) after the first half of the 2025-2026 season.
One might think that there is nothing worse than that, but there is. FK Tryavna 1922 are in fact in such a position, because this is the second consecutive year that the team has not been enrolled in any senior competition. The club still exists but only with some junior teams.
To end up on a happy note, we should highlight the fact that Maardu Linnameeskond II has been revived after several years of silence. The first team back to back promotions to the Esiliiga B and now to Esiliiga (second tier in Estonian football) triggered the need for a second team, which has been reestablished after a merger with Tallinna FC Starmedia, so now the team has a very long name: Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia. They competed in the Estonian Second League B (the fifth tier) and finished third, very close to promotion, which would surely come the next year if things will continue in the same way.
Even Maaraba SC of Syria showed some signs of life after many years of reduced activity, limited only to junior teams. Their senior team has been recently reactivated and they have even played a few friendly matches, perhaps having in view the participation to official competitions once again.
Best team
Cusco FC
Best performanceCusco FC 2-0 Sporting Cristal (play-off final for the second place, second leg)
Best manager
Ahmad Atwi (Bourj FC)
Best player
Facundo Callejo (Cusco FC)
A Happy New Year to everyone!
