Verdes celebrate winning the PLB 2025-2026 Opening Championship on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen. Photo Credit: Verdes FC/Wilton Ixtecoc
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Reigning Premier League of Belize champions Verdes FC will begin their title defence on Saturday, January 24, when they host Wagiya SC at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen. While the Green Machine sits out the opening weekend, the 2025–2026 Closing Championship officially gets underway one week earlier, featuring three matches across Belize.
Season Opens January 17–18
The tournament kicks off with a Belmopan derby on Saturday, January 17, as Belmopan FC hosts Napoles FC at 7:30 p.m. at the FFB Stadium.
Two matches follow on Sunday, January 18, both at 4:00 pm.
At the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City, Port Loyola welcome Wagiya SC in the first city home game of the season.
Simultaneously in Orange Walk, Progresso FC open their campaign at the People’s Stadium against Capital Sport Club, who will continue competing under the Benque United FC franchise for this championship.
Verdes Begin Their Title Defense
Verdes’ first appearance comes a week later, on January 24, when they face Wagiya at home at 7:30 pm. The champions return to action just over a month after securing the 2025 Opening Championship, defeating Progresso FC 1–0 on aggregate in a tightly contested final. The series ended 0–0 in the first leg before Verdes clinched the title with a 1–0 victory in the second leg on December 13 at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium.
With the season already in motion by the time Verdes step onto the pitch, the champions will be aiming to make an immediate statement as they launch their bid for a third consecutive title and for another participation in the Concacaf Championship.
