Erchim Reclaims Place in MPL

Image property of Erchim FC

Today the second leg of this year's promotion/relegation series between Erchim FC and Khoromkhon FC was played at the MFF Football Centre. Erchim FC entered the match holding a 1-0 aggregate lead after the first match of the series. Erchim's 4-3 victory today added to its lead and secured promotion back to the Mongolian Premier League for the 2026/207 season.

Khoromkhon FC, traditionally one of Mongolia's most consistent club's, should find itself back in the First League next season. The club represented Mongolia in the 2016 AFC Cup and has nurtured some of the country's best players including Naranbold Nyam-Osor and Ganbold Ganbayar. However, more recently times have not been so halcyon for the club with it suffering relegation to the First Division following the 2017 season. After just one season in the second tier, the club returned to the MPL in 2019 but was immediately relegated again. After returning to the MPL in 2021, the club has had middling seasons, including surviving other relegation play-off series. Khoromkhon wasn't so lucky this time.

Erchim FC, on the other hand, has been the flag bearer for football in Mongolia for over thirty years. The club has won a record thirteen league champions since the competition was founded in 1996 and has represented the country in continental football six times. The club's list of accomplishments goes on and on.

So, how did Erchim FC fall from its seemingly permanent place in the Premier League? Not by poor play.

Ahead of the 2025/2026 MPL season, the club refused to participate in the league in protest to the Mongolian Football Federation and its president. The club took a stance to fight what it perceived as mismanagement, corruption, a lack of transparency, incompetency, and more.

When the First League kicked off, Erchim FC had to earn back its rightful place in the top division and did so on its first attempt. While many things in Mongolian football seem very uncertain, there is one thing fans can be sure about: the MPL will always be better with Erchim FC in it.

Play-off Results

Date: 5 August 2026

Erchim FC 1 – 0 Khoromkhon FC

D. Batbold (41')

Date: 8 August 2026

Khoromkhon FC 3 vs. Erchim FC 4

B. Munkh-Erdene (6') B. Batsuuri (6')

Ts. Bilguun (14')

D. Batbold (23')

T. Munkh-Baatar (30')

S. Osukhbayar (45')

T. Munkh-baatar (81')

Erchim FC wins on aggregate 5-3.