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FK Arkadag
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FK Arkadag (Turkmen: Arkadag Futbol Kluby, Arkadag FK) is a professional football club based in Arkadag, Turkmenistan. Founded in 2023 by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the club plays in the Ýokary Liga.
Key Information
From its first season, Arkadag began collecting titles. Domestically, it won the double, twice in two seasons. In Asia, the team won the AFC Challenge League title in its first participation.
Arkadag has won every domestic match since its founding, and has a streak of more than 60 consecutive domestic wins, the longest ever recorded in world football.[3] However, some accuse the club of serious match-fixing with the help of former Turkmeni president Berdimuhamedow.[4] Hence, Guinness World Records does not accept the streak's legitimacy.[5]
History
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Arkadag was formed in the run-up to the 2023 domestic season.[6] Many of the country's best players joined the club in a transfer window that was specially expanded.[6] Competing in the Turkmenistan top flight right from its foundation,[7][8][9][10] they have undergone criticism by rival fans for being favored by the authorities in the 2023 Ýokary Liga.[11][6] In November, Wladimir Baýramow became the new manager of FK Arkadag, receiving a one-year contract.[12] Also in this month the team logo with the image of an Akhal-Teke horse was presented.[13]
On 3 December, Arkadag clinched their first championship title in the Turkmenistan Higher League, by defeating Altyn Asyr 4–0. They won all 24 league matches.[14] The club had a total of 72 points with a goal difference of 83–17. Their league top scorer was Didar Durdyev with 27 goals.[15][16] They also secured place in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two qualifiers.[17][18][19][20] On 24 December 2023, Wladimir Baýramow guided Arkadag to their second trophy, defeating Ahal FK 3–0 in Turkmenistan Cup final at the Arkadag Stadium.[21][22] For the team's successful performance in the 2023 season, the team was gifted a MAN bus.[23][24][25]
In June 2023, Arkadag was licensed to participate in the AFC Challenge League.[26] On 7 October 2024, defending champions Arkadag successfully retained their League title after a 5–1 victory over Nebitçi.[27] They got into the group with the Kuwait giants Al-Arabi SC and the reigning Maldives and Kyrgyz champions Maziya and Abdysh-Ata Kant.[28] Their first match was a 2–1 win against Maziya at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City.[29] On 29 October 2024, FK Arkadag recorded an upset over Abdysh-Ata Kant by winning 2–0.[30][31]
On 1 November 2024, the club suffered defeat against Al-Arabi to end a streak of 61 consecutive wins in official competitions (50 in the Ýokary Liga, 9 in the Turkmenistan Cup, and 2 in the AFC Challenge League). However, this streak is not recognized by the Guinness World Records due to concerns about the league's governance. The Guinness instead recognizes Al-Hilal's 34 game win streak from 2023–24.[32][33] On 10 May 2025, Arkadag won the inaugural AFC Challenge League after beating Svay Rieng by 2–1 in the final.[34] They became the first club to tentatively qualify for the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two group stage. On the eve of the group stage, FK Arkadag added Röwşen Muhadow as the new coach.[35] On September 18, Arkadag earned their first point in the ACL2 debut match, drawing 0–0 with Uzbekistan's Andijon.[36][37] On 25 September 2025, FK Arkadag won the Turkmenistan Super Cup for the second year in a row, defeating FC Ahal by 3–0 at Nusaý Stadium.[38][39]
In September 2025, Turkmen president Serdar Berdimuhamedov awarded the "Medal For the love of the Fatherland" medals to Arkadag members, including club president Arslanmyrat Amanow, former coach Vladimir Bayramov, assistants Ahmet Allaberdiyev and Pawel Matus, administrator Konstantin Grigoryants, as well as players Rasul Çaryýew, Güýçmyrat Annagulyýew, Mekan Saparov, Ahmet Atayev, Welmyrat Ballakow, Mirza Beknazarov, Yazgylych Gurbanov, Didar Durdyýew, and Begench Akmammedov.[40]
Stadiums
[edit]Arkadag's main home ground is the 10,000-capacity Arkadag Stadium.[41][42][43][44] Nusaý Stadium used to be the home ground of the club at some Ýokary Liga matches.[45] Ashgabat Olympic Stadium hosted selected AFC Champions League Two matches.
Colours
[edit]Crest
[edit]The club crest has been a rampant Akhal-Teke horse against the backdrop of the Kopetdag mountains.[13][46] The logo uses white and blue colors.
Kit
[edit]Arkadag's traditional home kit predominantly consists of green and white colours.[47] The second set of kit is completely green with white elements.[48]
| Period | Brand | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–present | Jako[47] | Arkadag City Administration[47] |
Current squad
[edit][49][50] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Records
[edit]Domestic
[edit]| Season | League | Turkmenistan Cup | Top goalscorer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div. | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos. | Player(s) | Goals | ||
| 2023 | Ýokary Liga | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 17 | 72 | 1st | Winners |  Didar Durdyýew
|
27[51][52] |
| 2024 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 147 | 20 | 90 | 1st | Winners | Didar Durdyýew
|
31[53] | |
| 2025 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 15 | 84 | 1st | Winners | Begenç Akmämmedow
|
17 | |
Continental
[edit]- As of match played 18 February 2026
| Competition | Pld. | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Challenge League | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 8 |
| AFC Champions League Two | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Total | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 16 |
| Season | Competition | Round | Nat | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | AFC Challenge League | Group B | 
|
Maziya | 2–1 | 1st | |
|
Abdysh-Ata Kant | 2–0 | |||||
|
Al-Arabi | 2–3 | |||||
| Quarter-final | 
|
East Bengal | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | ||
| Semi-final |
|
Al-Arabi | 0–2 | 3–0 | 3–2 | ||
| Final | 
|
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | ||||
| 2025–26 | AFC Champions League Two | Group B | 
|
Al-Ahli | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2nd |
|
Andijon | 0–0 | 1–1 | ||||
|
Al-Khaldiya | 1–0 | 0–2 | ||||
| Round of 16 | 
|
Al-Nassr | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–2 | ||
Coaching history
[edit]| Name | Nationality | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Guwançmuhammet Öwekow[54] |
|
2023 |
| Begençmuhammet Kulyýew[55] |
|
2023 |
| Wladimir Baýramow[56] |
|
2023–2024 |
| Didar Hajyýew |
|
2024 (2024–25 ACGL group stage) |
| Döwletmyrat Annaýew |
|
2025 |
| Ahmet Allaberdyýew |
|
2025 |
| Röwşen Muhadow[57][35] |
|
2025 |
| Mergen Orazow[58] |
|
2026– |
Top scorers
[edit]| Season | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023[59] | Didar Durdyýew (27) | Begmyrat Baýow (9) | Şanazar Tirkişow (7) |
| 2024[60] | Didar Durdyýew (31) | Altymyrat Annadurdyýew (24) | Begenç Akmämmedow (19) |
| 2025[61] | Didar Durdyýew (27) | Begenç Akmämmedow (17) | Altymyrat Annadurdyýew (16) |
Honours
[edit]Domestic
[edit]- Ýokary Liga
- Turkmenistan Cup
- Turkmenistan Super Cup
- Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup
Continental
[edit]- AFC Challenge League
- Champions (1): 2024–25
References
[edit]- ^ "10-тысячный стадион в "умном" городе Аркадаг примет первый футбольный матч". Turkmenportal. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/103096/mergen-orazov-turkmen-football-deserves-be-high-level
- ^ "Is Arkadag the world's greatest football team?". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "The Team That Just Does Not Lose....But Is It Fair?". Niche Football Journalism. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ Duerden, John (16 April 2024). "Record breakers? Arkadag FC and the winning streak still under scrutiny". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b c Duerden, John (16 April 2024). "Record breakers? Arkadag FC and the winning streak still under scrutiny". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Утвержден официальный логотип футбольного клуба "Аркадаг"". turkmenportal.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "ФК "Аркадаг" продолжает победную серию в Чемпионате Туркменистана. Болельщики возмущены". hronikatm.com. 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "Созданный две недели назад ФК "Аркадаг" одержал первую победу". hronikatm.com. 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ ""Аркадаг" дебютировал с победы в чемпионате Туркменистана по футболу". 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "Turkmenistan: Former leader's football team sweeps league". BBC News. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Владимир Байрамов стал новым главным тренером футбольной команды "Аркадаг" | Спорт". Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Утвержден официальный логотип футбольного клуба "Аркадаг" | Спорт". Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Arkadag topary taryhda ilkinji gezek çempionlyk derejesini gazandy". tff.com.tm. Turkmenistan Football Federation. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "ФК "Аркадаг" стал чемпионом Туркменистана, не потеряв ни одного очка | Интернет-газета Turkmenistan.Ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Футбольный клуб "Аркадаг" завоевал титул Чемпиона Туркменистана » "СНГ СЕГОДНЯ" - последние новости стран СНГ читайте на SNG.TODAY". "СНГ СЕГОДНЯ" - последние новости стран СНГ читайте на SNG.TODAY. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ ""Аркадаг" завершил сезон, выиграв все матчи чемпионата Туркменистана по футболу | Спорт". Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Match Report of Arkadag FK vs Merw BSFK - 2023-04-18 - Ýokary Liga - Global Sports Archive". Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Match Report of Köpetdag FK vs Arkadag FK - 2023-12-20 - Ýokary Liga - Global Sports Archive". Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Ýokary Liga 2023 - Results, fixtures, tables and stats - Global Sports Archive". Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Президент Туркменистана поздравил "Аркадаг" с победой в чемпионате и Кубке страны по футболу | Спорт". Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ ""Аркадаг" выиграл второй трофей – Кубок Туркменистана по футболу". turkmenistan.gov.tm. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Президент Туркменистана подарил спортсменам автомобили » Новости Центральной Азии". Новости Центральной Азии. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Президент Туркменистана подарил "Аркадагу" новый клубный автобус после чемпионского сезона | Спорт". Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "ФК "Аркадаг" получил в подарок от имени Президента Туркменистана автобус". Türkmenistan Habarlar Portaly. 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b ""Аркадаг" во второй раз подряд стал чемпионом Туркменистана по футболу". tff.com.tm (in Russian). Turkmenistan Football Federation. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ "61-0". The Economist. 9 January 2024.
- ^ Most consecutive men's association football victories (all competitions)
- ^ "Arkadag edge Svay Rieng to lift title". AFC. 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ [8]
- ^ a b [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ [11]
- ^ "10-тысячный стадион в "умном" городе Аркадаг примет первый футбольный матч | Спорт". Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Новый стадион в городе Аркадаг примет первый футбольный матч". 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "В новом городе Аркадаг состоялся первый футбольный матч". July 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Спортивная инфраструктура города Аркадаг способствует утверждению здорового образа жизни". 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ ""Аркадаг" дебютировал в чемпионате Туркменистана по футболу с победы над "Мервом" | Спорт". Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов ознакомился с эскизами логотипов футбольной команды "Аркадаг" | Спорт". Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "На форме футболистов "Аркадага" в игре с "Ахалом" появился логотип бренда JAKO | Спорт". Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ Turkmenistanyn futbol cempionaty salamnews.tm Archived 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Главные трансферы зимы 2024 года в туркменском футболе на 26 января | Спорт". Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Arkadag FK - Soccer - Team Profile - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "JANKÖÝER". jankoyer.com.tm. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Ýokary Liga 2023 - Results, fixtures, tables and stats - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Чемпионат Туркменистана по футболу – 2024: цифры и факты". tff.com.tm (in Russian). Turkmenistan Football Federation. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ ""Аркадаг" дебютировал с победы в чемпионате Туркменистана по футболу". 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "Главный тренер "Аркадага" Кулиев прокомментировал победу над "Алтын асыром" в Кубке Туркменистана по футболу | Спорт". Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Экс-футболист четырех клубов КПЛ возглавил зарубежную команду". Sports.kz. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ [12]
- ^ [13]
- ^ [14]
- ^ [15]
- ^ [16]
- ^ «Аркадаг» досрочно стал чемпионом Туркменистана по футболу. turkmenportal.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ [17]
- ^ "Футбольный клуб «Аркадаг» в первые завоевал Суперкубок Туркменистана". tff.com (in Russian). Turkmenistan Football Federation. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Команда «Аркадаг» досрочно стала победителем Кубка Федерации футбола Туркменистана". tff.com (in Russian). Turkmenistan Football Federation. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in English, Turkmen, and Russian)
- FK Arkadag at globalsportsarchive.com