Canberra’s hopes of fielding an A-League Men club have been dealt a blow with confirmation that the group behind an expansion bid “aren’t able to stand up a team in time for season 2024-25”. But A-Leagues boss Nick Garcia has backed the preferred bidders to have the new club ready in time for Canberra to join as the 14th men’s team for the 2025-26 campaign. The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) revealed in March last year that Canberra was one of two preferred markets for expansion from 12 to 14 men’s teams ahead of the 2024-25 season. “We are still in discussion with a preferred consortium for an A-League licence in Canberra, but they aren’t able to stand up a team in time for season 2024-25,” A-Leagues commissioner Garcia said. “The ACT has a fantastic football fanbase, and we remain committed to Canberra and a 14th A-League team. We want to give new owners the proper runway to set up a team to ensure long-term success. “The preferred consortium has the right capability – a mix of European top-flight experience, and local Canberra knowledge and relationships – and we continue to work with them.” The APL had hoped to raise $100m in franchise fees – $25m per club – from Canberra, Auckland and two other sides by the start of the 2025-26 season. The ongoing delay in Canberra means that Auckland FC will be the only club to join the A-League Men later this year, as the competition moves to 13 teams. This will create a bye – rather than adding an extra match as hoped – in each round. Canberra has not fielded a top-tier men’s team since Canberra Cosmos folded in 2001, while the Socceroos only returned to the nation’s capital for the first time since 2019 when they played an “away” World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in March. The APL said it will provide a further update in the coming months on the new licence process. Garcia also confirmed that Capital Football will remain in charge of A-League Women team Canberra United for the 2024-25 season. Canberra United’s place in the women’s competition for the coming season was only assured following a “one-off” contribution of $200,000 from the ACT government, as revealed in April, in addition to annual funding of $250,000. Capital Football is the only football association to own a licence and operate an A-League team.