The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to host the Round of 16 matches of the elite AFC Champions League, which were postponed due to security conditions in the region. The matches will take place in the city of Jeddah, following a single-match knockout format, as announced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday.
In an official statement, the continental federation clarified that after postponing the matches originally scheduled for March 1 and 3, 2026, it was decided that all remaining knockout matches for club competitions in the western region would be held in a single round format.
Event Details
The Round of 16 matches for the western region of the AFC Champions League 2025-2026 will take place on April 13 and 14 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. This stage features three Saudi clubs: Al-Ittihad, the defending champion Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad will face the UAE's Al-Wahda, while Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal will take on Al-Duhail and Al-Sadd from Qatar, respectively.
The other match will see Al-Shabab from the UAE face Tractor Sazi from Iran. The final stages of the tournament are still scheduled to take place in Jeddah between April 16 and 25.
Background & Context
These changes in the tournament format come after the AFC postponed the four western knockout matches in light of the developments in the war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran and its impacts on the regional situation. In contrast, all matches in the eastern region of the continent were held in a home-and-away format.
The Round of 16 matches in the eastern region have already concluded, with Japan's Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia advancing to the quarter-finals alongside Thailand's Buriram United and Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim.
Impact & Consequences
The final stages will witness cross-regional matchups, as the geographical division between east and west will be eliminated. The eight clubs will be distributed across eight positions in the tournament bracket, ensuring direct encounters between eastern and western clubs. It is expected that former Saudi star Hussain Abdul-Ghani will participate as an assistant in the draw ceremony, adding a special touch to this critical stage of the tournament.
The quarter-final matches will commence on April 16, with the final match scheduled for April 25 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, where the champion is set to receive a record cash prize of no less than $12 million.
Regional Significance
This tournament represents an opportunity to enhance Saudi Arabia's status as a prominent sports destination in the region, especially under the current circumstances. It also reflects the strength of Saudi clubs in continental competitions, contributing to the enhancement of Saudi football's reputation on the international stage.
As preparations for the 2026 World Cup ramp up, interest in the tournament is increasing, with Saudi players eager to prove their worth on the international stage, showcasing the evolution of football in the Kingdom.