The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has approved a major change to squad registration rules for the 2026/27 Malaysia League season, increasing the maximum number of locally registered players that each club can carry from 18 to 23.
The decision followed applications from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Kuching City FC, both of whom face an exceptionally demanding schedule during the upcoming campaign.
The new regulation increases the overall squad limit from 33 to 38 players, while the foreign-player quota remains unchanged at 15.
Under the previous system, clubs could register 33 players maximum (15 foreign players, 18 local players)
For the 2026/27 season, that becomes 38 players maximum (15 foreign players, 23 local players)
The additional five places are reserved exclusively for Malaysian players and remain subject to the league’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) requirements.
The two clubs will represent Malaysia in continental and regional competitions, including the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, Shopee Cup and domestic competitions.
The MFL Board considered the need for greater squad depth as one of the key factors behind the decision.
JDT are set to juggle multiple competitions while defending their domestic dominance, while Kuching City face an additional challenge due to their squad structure.
MFL specifically took into account that Kuching City does not operate a Reserve Club, meaning the club relies heavily on its President’s Cup and Youth Cup teams to develop and provide competitive opportunities for younger players.
The increased local quota could therefore give Kuching City more flexibility to promote players from their age-group squads into the senior team.
Players who have exceeded the age limits for the President’s Cup or Youth Cup can now potentially move into the first-team registration pool rather than being left without a pathway.
The expanded quota also creates an important opportunity for local footballers who remain without contracts.
MFL stated that the additional places could help provide more employment and development opportunities for Malaysian players, while also creating a clearer progression route from youth football into the professional game.
The policy therefore has a dual purpose: supporting clubs competing on multiple fronts while simultaneously expanding opportunities for domestic talent.
For JDT and Kuching City, the additional players could also provide greater depth for continental campaigns, where squad rotation and injury management can become decisive.
The MFL believes the additional squad depth can help Malaysian representatives compete more effectively in AFC competitions.
JDT and Kuching City will be carrying the country’s hopes in continental football, with every victory potentially contributing to Malaysia’s AFC ranking position.
Despite raising the maximum squad limit to 38, MFL stressed that clubs are not required to register the full quota.
Teams must base their squad size on their actual sporting needs and financial capacity. Most importantly, all registrations must comply with the league’s Financial Fair Play mechanisms, including an 80% Salary Cap for the 2026/27 season.
The minimum registration requirement remains unchanged at 20 players per club.
The regulation is therefore designed to create flexibility without encouraging clubs to overspend simply to fill additional roster positions.
Clubs still have time to make use of the expanded quota during the first registration window for the 2026/27 Malaysia League season first registration window will close on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
