Al-Hilal have been expelled from the 2025 Saudi Super Cup after withdrawing from the competition just weeks before it was due to begin, handing potential rivals such as Riyad Mahrez’s Al-Ahli an unexpected chance at silverware.
The Saudi Arabian Football Association’s (SAFF) Disciplinary Committee announced the decision following the reigning champions’ formal pullout from the tournament, scheduled for 19–23 August in Hong Kong.
Al-Hilal, the most decorated club in Saudi history, cited fixture congestion and player fatigue as their reasons for stepping aside.
The club’s medical team warned that the squad would have just 21 days of rest following their FIFA Club World Cup commitments — a full week short of the 28-day recovery period they deemed essential. They argued that pushing ahead risked injuries to key players and could undermine their season preparations.
While acknowledging those concerns, the SAFF ruled that the timing of the withdrawal had caused significant disruption to event planning, commercial agreements, and broadcasting arrangements.
The governing body emphasised that a late exit from the competition was unacceptable, particularly given the scale of the tournament and its international profile.
As a result, Al-Hilal have been fined 500,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $133,000) and banned from participating in the 2026 edition of the Super Cup, regardless of whether they qualify. The punishment means the defending champions will not have the chance to retain their title, leaving a clear path for other contenders.
For Al-Ahli, led by Algerian international Mahrez, the ruling represents a sudden opening in what is traditionally one of the most fiercely contested competitions in Saudi football.
The absence of Al-Hilal removes one of the biggest hurdles in the knockout-style tournament, shifting the balance of power and potentially boosting Al-Ahli’s hopes of securing a rare trophy on the domestic stage.
The Saudi Super Cup, featuring four top clubs from the league and cup competitions, has grown in prominence in recent years, attracting global attention thanks to high-profile signings and increased investment in the Saudi Pro League.
This year’s edition was set to be a showcase of the country’s footballing strength abroad, with Hong Kong hosting the event for the first time.
However, the drama surrounding Al-Hilal’s withdrawal has cast a shadow over the build-up, while simultaneously raising the stakes for those still in the running.
Al-Ahli, alongside other qualifiers, now face an altered competitive landscape but must still navigate a demanding schedule of their own to capitalise on the opportunity.
For the SAFF, the decision sends a clear message about the importance of commitment to scheduled fixtures, regardless of competing priorities or fixture congestion.
For Al-Hilal, it is a rare and public setback — both financially and reputationally — for a club accustomed to dominating the domestic scene.
The tournament will proceed as planned in August, but without its most successful side. Whether Mahrez and Al-Ahli can turn this twist into triumph remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road to the Saudi Super Cup has been dramatically reshaped.
