Founded in 1946 as Kelantan Amateur Football Association (Malay: Persatuan Bola Sepak Amatur Kelantan) but records show this football association already existed as early as 1889.

Kelantan FA is the oldest football team in the east coast of Malaysia.

The team is based in Kota Bharu, in the state of Kelantan, traditionally a conservative Muslim area.

[1] The Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) suspended their membership as an Affiliate Member of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) with immediate effect.

The suspension decision was made based on FAM's letter dated 21 December 2024 to KAFA which is related to the decision of the FAM Internal Disputes Committee meeting regarding the complaint against the conduct of the 65th KAFA Annual Congress and the election of the KAFA Executive Committee for the 2024-2028 session.