Saudi football clubs are continuing their journey in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025–26, despite major schedule disruptions caused by ongoing regional tensions. The tournament has undergone significant changes, with matches postponed and reorganized to ensure safety and continuity.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that several knockout matches in the West Region, originally scheduled for early March, were postponed due to the situation in the Middle East. As a result, the competition has been restructured, with fixtures now set to take place in a centralized format.
Under the revised schedule, the Round of 16 matches will be played on April 13–14 in Jeddah, shifting away from the traditional home-and-away format to single-leg ties. The decision aims to reduce travel risks and simplify logistics for teams across the region.
Saudi clubs remain strongly represented in the competition. Teams such as Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad are all involved in key matchups as they push toward the later stages of the tournament. Defending champions Al-Ahli are expected to face Qatar’s Al-Duhail, while Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are also preparing for crucial knockout fixtures.
Following the Round of 16, the tournament will move into its final stages, all hosted in Saudi Arabia. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final are scheduled to take place in Jeddah from April 16 to April 25, with the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium set to host the final.
The centralized format also means that teams from across Asia will travel to Saudi Arabia for the decisive matches. Clubs such as Iran’s Tractor FC and UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli are expected to compete in Jeddah for a place in the quarterfinals.
Despite the challenges, Saudi clubs continue to play a leading role in Asian football. The Kingdom currently ranks at the top of the AFC club competition rankings, reflecting the strong performance of its teams in recent seasons.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Jeddah, where the final stages of Asia’s premier club competition are set to unfold. The coming weeks will determine whether Saudi clubs can convert their strong presence into another continental title.
