Reigning Asian Champions Al Ahli Set for High-Stakes Gulf Clashes in Expanded ACL Elite Draw
Al Ahli, the two-time defending champions of the continent are going to start defending their title against Al Ain, who have won this thing before. This is all because of a draw that happened in Kuala Lumpur. It is going to be really interesting because there are a lot of teams playing each other in the 2026–2027 AFC Champions League Elite.
The people in charge of football in Asia called the Asian Football Confederation did the draw on Tuesday. Now we know who is playing who in the league part of the tournament. They changed the way the tournament works so now there are 32 teams of 24.
These teams are split into two groups, one for the part of Asia and one for the east part. Each group has 16 teams, which’s a big change, from how it used to be.
Jeddah-based giants Al Ahli, now led by head coach Marino Pušić, enter the campaign aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title. However, their route through the West Zone league phase poses significant regional hurdles.
Beyond their high-profile opening fixture against the UAE’s Al Ain—the 2024 Asian champions—the Saudi Arabian powerhouses face additional Gulf derbies against UAE sides Shabab Al-Ahli and Al-Wasl, alongside Qatari opponents Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa, and Al-Shamal. Challenging away trips to Uzbekistan to face Neftchi and Pakhtakor complete their schedule.
The draw also created demanding pathways for Saudi Arabia’s other top contenders. Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ittihad will navigate parallel fixtures across the West Zone, with Al Hilal notably renewing their fierce rivalry against Al Ain in a rematch of last season’s high-octane semi-final clash.
Over in the East Zone, Japanese club Kashima Antlers were drawn against two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea in another blockbuster matchup.
The expanded 32-team league phase kicks off on September 14, 2026, running through February 17, 2027. The top eight clubs from each region will advance to the round of 16, played on a home-and-away basis.
Winners will progress to the centralized final stage—encompassing the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final—which takes place in Saudi Arabia from April 23 to May 1, 2027.
