Al Ain face five Saudi opponents as Al Ahli draw Qatar-UAE test in AFC Champions League Elite

Al Ain, featuring Egyptian defender Rami Rabia, will face five Saudi Arabian clubs in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite after the draw produced a series of high-profile Arab match-ups.

Al Ain were drawn against Al Nassr, Al Qadsiah, Al Ahli Saudi, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. Their home fixtures will be against Esteghlal, Al Nassr, Tractor and Al Qadsiah, while they will travel to face Al Ahli Saudi, Air Force Club, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.

The competition features 32 teams, split evenly between the West and East regions. The clubs were placed into four pots, with each side scheduled to play two teams from every pot.

The eight highest-scoring teams in each region will progress to the last 16. That stage will be played over two legs, before the eight quarter-finalists meet in a centralised tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Al Ahli Saudi, who won the previous two editions of the AFC Champions League, are seeking a third title. Success would make them the first team to achieve that feat.

Al Ahli Saudi were handed home matches against Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor. Their away games will be against Al Sadd, Neftchi, Al Wasl and Al Shamal.

Al Hilal will host Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor, and travel to play Al Sadd, Neftchi, Al Wasl and Al Shamal.

Al Nassr’s home opponents are Al Sadd, Neftchi, Al Wasl and Al Shamal. Away from home, they will meet Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor.

Al Sadd will welcome Al Ahli Saudi, Air Force Club, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, while their away fixtures are against Al Nassr, Tractor, Esteghlal and Al Qadsiah.

Al Ittihad’s home games are against Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor. They will visit Al Sadd, Neftchi, Al Wasl and Al Shamal.

The first round is scheduled for 14 and 15 September, followed by the second round on 11 and 12 October and the third on 26 and 27 October. The listed schedule then has the fifth round on 23 and 24 November, the sixth on 7 and 8 December, the seventh on 8 and 9 February 2027, and the eighth on 15 and 16 February 2027.

AFC Champions League Two draw

The draw for the AFC Champions League Two also set out eight groups.

Group A contains Al Wahda, Nasaf, Kuwait SC and Khalidiya. Group B features Al Jazira, Gol Gohar Sirjan, Muharraq and Arkadag.

Saudi Arabian club Al Taawoun are in Group C alongside Al Rayyan, Al Faisaly and Al Nahda. Group D includes Al Hussein, Al-Shorta, Al Seeb and East Bengal.

Group E consists of Seoul, Melbourne, Đong A Thanh Hoa and the winner of Persib Bandung’s tie against Manila Digger.

Adelaide United, BG Pathum United, Lion City Sailors and Tai Po make up Group F.

Group G features Machida Zelvia, Shanghai Shenhua, Svay Rieng and Tampines Rovers, while Group H contains Gangwon, Kuching City, Kitchee and Crown.