Al Nassr drawn against Roshn League side as Al Hilal launch King’s Cup defence on the road

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has confirmed the full last-32 schedule for the 2026-27 King’s Cup, with Al Nassr handed the only Roshn Saudi League opponent among the country’s four traditional heavyweights, while holders Al Hilal start their title defence away to Al Raed.

The competition, officially known as the King’s Cup (Koub Khadem Al Haramein Al Sharifain), will kick off on 16 August with three fixtures: Al Bukeiryah against Al Hazem, Al Orubah versus Abha, and Al Wehda at home to Al Shabab.

Al Hilal, who lifted the trophy last season under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, begin their campaign the following day. The reigning champions travel to face Al Raed on 17 August at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah. Al Raed were relegated from the Saudi top flight in the season before last.

Al Ahli will also open their bid on 17 August, away to Al Anwar. The Jeddah club are seeking their first King’s Cup crown in a decade, having not won the competition for 10 years.

Al Ittihad and Al Nassr in action on 18 August

The schedule on 18 August features several of the round’s standout ties. Al Ittihad will meet Al Najma, who dropped out of the Roshn Saudi League last season, in another match staged at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah.

Al Nassr, meanwhile, are the only one of the so-called “big four” – Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr – to be paired with a current Roshn League club in the last 32. They will face Al Diriyah, newly promoted from the First Division (Dawri Yelo), on 18 August at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.

The round will conclude on 19 August with three further fixtures. Damac host Al Taawoun, Jeddah take on Al Kholood, and Al Ula meet Al Fateh to complete the eight ties.

Holders Al Hilal targeting back-to-back titles

Al Hilal enter the new campaign as defending champions after winning what proved to be their only trophy of last season under Simone Inzaghi.

They secured the King’s Cup by defeating Al Kholood in the final, ensuring the Italian coach finished his debut year in Saudi Arabia with silverware despite missing out on other major honours.

The confirmation of the last-32 schedule sets the stage for a packed four-day programme in mid-August, as clubs from across the divisions compete for a place in the King’s Cup last 16 and an early marker in the 2026-27 domestic season.