FC Ulaanbaatar Wins 2026 MPL

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Summary

The Mongolian Premier League concluded its 30th season last week with FC Ulaanbaatar clinching its third championship. Surging Central Stallions finished as runner-up while Deren FC won the bronze medal. FC Ulaanbaatar clinched the title with three matches remaining, but a close battle for silver between Central Stallions and Deren came down to the final match.

FC Ulaanbaatar and Central Stallions will now represent Mongolia in the AFC Challenge League next month.

In true Mongolian fashion, the 25/26 edition of top flight football did not begin without controversy. Days before the season was set to begin, long-time powerhouse Erchim FC refused its spot in the league because of on-going disputes with the MFF. Ulaangom City, last season's First Divsion runner-up, was given Erchim's place for its first season in the top division. Despite a delayed start, the first half of the season finished without issue. At the break, Central Stallions sat atop the league table with 23 points and an undefeated record of 7-2-0.

There were more unpleasant surprises over the winter break as SP Falcons, another historic club and reigning back-to-back champions, announced it would cease operation of its senior men's team and withdraw from the Premier League. Therefore, when the season resumed, it did so with a 9-team table.

All of SP Falcons results were annulled and the league schedule was revised. This lead the league to create a winners and losers bracket, with the top four clubs each playing two additional matches to determine the final standings. Despite continued strong performances by Central Stallions, FC Ulaanbaatar, coached by Bekhbat Ganbat, nipped them in the standings to win the championship.

Promotion/Relegation

Khoromkhon FC, who finished last in the Premier League table, will be spared relegation this year since SP Falcons withdrew from the league. There will be no automatic relegation or play-off series. The winners of the First League (currently Erchim FC) will take SP Falcons' place to complete the 10-team league for the 26/27 season.

Individual Awards

Fair Play: Deren FC (fewest red and yellow cards during season)

Best Goalkeeper: Enkhtaivan Munkh-Erdene (FC Ulaanbaatar)-9 shutouts

Best Defender: Gerelt-Od Bat-Orgil (FC Ulaanbaatar)

Best Midfielder: Batmunkh Baljinnyam (Deren FC)- 5 goals, 13 assists

Best Forward: Oyunbaatar Mijiddorj (FC Ulaanbaatar)-19 goals

League Table

Click image to enlarge.