Maldives FA Cup

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox football tournament | name = Maldives FA Cup | logo = | imagesize = | organiser = [[Football Association of Maldives]] | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1988}} | number of teams = 8 (2026) | region = {{ubl|Maldives}} | qualifier for = [[AFC Challenge League]]<br>[[Maldivian FA Charity Shield]] | current champions = [[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]]<br>(3rd title) | most successful club = [[New Radiant SC|New Radiant]] (12 titles) | website = | broadcasters = [[Yes TV (Maldives)|Yes TV]] | current = [[2026 Maldives FA Cup]] }}

The '''Maldives FA Cup''' is the premier domestic [[knockout tournament|knockout]] [[association football|football]] competition in the [[Maldives]], organized by the [[Football Association of Maldives]]. It was established in 1988 and is contested by clubs from the Maldivian football league system.

The competition is contested by clubs from various levels of the Maldivian football league system and follows a single-elimination format. Over the years, it has served as a key pathway for qualification to continental competitions such as the [[AFC Cup]].

[[New Radiant|New Radiant Sports Club]] is the most successful club in the history of the competition, having won the title a record 12 times.

==History== The Maldives FA Cup was inaugurated in 1988 during a period of growing organization in Maldivian football. Prior to its establishment, domestic competitions were largely limited in scope, and the introduction of a nationwide knockout tournament marked a significant step in the development of the sport.

The early editions of the competition were dominated by clubs such as Club Valencia, New Radiant SC, and Club Lagoons. These teams formed the foundation of competitive football in the country and contributed to establishing the FA Cup as a major national event.

During the 2000s, the Maldives FA Cup experienced significant growth in both participation and structure. Clubs from multiple divisions were included, with preliminary rounds allowing lower-tier teams to compete alongside top-flight sides.

This period saw the rise of Victory Sports Club and continued success for New Radiant SC, both of whom became dominant forces in domestic cup competitions. The tournament also became more formally integrated into the national football calendar, increasing its importance within the domestic season.

From the 2010s onward, the FA Cup became closely linked with continental qualification pathways, particularly for the [[AFC Cup]]. Winning the competition often provided clubs with opportunities to compete at the Asian level.

However, the tournament experienced several disruptions. The late 2010s saw irregular scheduling, and the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In subsequent years, the competition underwent restructuring, with a revival in the early 2020s aimed at restoring its status as a major domestic tournament.

==Competition format== The Maldives FA Cup is played as a knockout competition, with teams progressing through successive rounds culminating in a final.

The structure has varied over time, but generally includes preliminary rounds featuring lower-division teams, entry of top-tier clubs in later rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Matches are typically decided over a single leg, with extra time and penalties used to determine a winner if necessary.

==Previous winners== Previous winners are:<ref>{{cite web|title=Maldives - List of Cup Winners|website=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maledcuphist.html|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> *1988: '''[[Club Valencia]]''' *1989: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1990: '''[[Club Lagoons]]''' *1991: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1992: '''[[Club Lagoons]]''' *1993: '''[[Victory Sports Club]]''' *1994: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1995: '''[[Club Valencia]]''' *1996: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1997: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1998: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *1999: '''[[Club Valencia]]''' *2000: '''[[Victory Sports Club]]''' *2001: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2002 Maldives FA Cup|2002]]: '''[[Island FC]]''' *[[2003 Maldives FA Cup|2003]]: '''[[Island FC]]''' *[[2004 Maldives FA Cup|2004]]: '''[[Club Valencia]]''' *[[2005 Maldives FA Cup|2005]]: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2006 Maldives FA Cup|2006]]: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2007 Maldives FA Cup|2007]]: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2008 Maldives FA Cup|2008]]: '''[[VB Sports Club]]''' *[[2009 Maldives FA Cup|2009]]: '''[[Victory Sports Club]]''' *[[2010 Maldives FA Cup|2010]]: '''[[Victory Sports Club]]''' *[[2011 Maldives FA Cup|2011]]: '''[[VB Sports Club]]''' *[[2012 Maldives FA Cup|2012]]: '''[[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]]''' *[[2013 Maldives FA Cup|2013]]: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2014 Maldives FA Cup|2014]]: '''[[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]]''' *[[2016 Maldives FA Cup|2016]]: '''[[Club Valencia]]''' *[[2017 Maldives FA Cup|2017]]: '''[[New Radiant]]''' *[[2020 Maldives FA Cup|2020]] : ''cancelled and declared null and void due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''<ref>{{cite web |date=31 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus - FAM cancels FA cup and President cup |url=http://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1692 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114170247/https://boalha.mv/contents/feature/news/1692 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |website=boalha.mv}}</ref> *[[2022 Maldives FA Cup|2022]]: '''[[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]]''' *[[2026 Maldives FA Cup|2026]]: ''TBD''

==Number of titles== *[[New Radiant]] '''(12)''' *[[Club Valencia]] '''(5)''' *[[Victory Sports Club]] '''(4)''' *[[VB Addu FC]] '''(4)'''* *[[Maziya S&RC|Maziya]] '''(3)''' *[[Club Lagoons]] '''(2)'''

''Note: Island FC renamed as VB Sports Club and later as [[VB Addu FC]]''

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://mihaaru.com/fa_cup FA Cup] – [[Mihaaru]] Sports (in [[Maldivian language|Dhivehi]])

[[Category:Maldives FA Cup| ]] [[Category:Men's football in the Maldives|Cup]] [[Category:Football cup competitions in the Maldives|Cup]] [[Category:Men's national association football cups in Asia|Maldives]] [[Category:1988 establishments in the Maldives]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1988]]