Al-Ittihad’s 2026-27 King’s Cup route starts with Al-Najma

Al-Ittihad will begin their Saudi King’s Cup campaign against Al-Najma on 18 August 2026, with the club aiming to win the trophy and make amends for a disappointing 2025-26 season.

The Jeddah club will enter the competition under German coach Jens Wissing, who took charge in the summer of 2026. Al-Ittihad are also seeking to reclaim the trophy after lifting it in the edition before last.

The Saudi King’s Cup remains one of the country’s most significant competitions, both technically and in terms of supporter interest. Although the major clubs compete fiercely for the Roshn Saudi League title, the cup retains a particular appeal because of its knockout format and long history of surprise results.

Al-Ittihad’s first match will be against Al-Najma in the round of 32. Should they progress, their opponents in each subsequent round will be determined by a fresh draw.

Al-Ittihad’s 2026-27 King’s Cup schedule

| Round | Match | Date | |||| | Round of 32 | Al-Najma v Al-Ittihad | 18 August 2026 |

The draw for every stage after the round of 32 will decide Al-Ittihad’s route through the rest of the competition, provided they continue to win.

All Saudi King’s Cup fixtures from the round of 32 through to the final will be played as single-match knockout ties. There are no two-legged encounters in the tournament, meaning each game carries the possibility of an immediate exit.

That format also leaves the competition open to unexpected results. While Al-Ittihad will be among the sides targeting the title, every team must negotiate each individual tie successfully to remain in contention.

Where to watch the Saudi King’s Cup

Thmanyah holds the rights to broadcast the 2026-27 Saudi King’s Cup across the Middle East and North Africa. Those rights extend through to the 2030-31 season.

Supporters who want to watch the matches online can use the Thmanyah application. Viewers outside the region are also directed towards NordVPN as an option for following the competition.

Promotional material associated with the viewing information describes NordVPN as providing a secure and fast internet connection and invites users to subscribe.

For Al-Ittihad, the immediate focus is the meeting with Al-Najma on 18 August. The club’s progress beyond that opening fixture will depend on the result of each one-off tie and the draws that follow every round. Their stated objective is to go all the way to the final and secure the King’s Cup, while responding to the frustration of the previous campaign.