The 2025–26 season will see Al-Ittihad return to Asia’s top club competition as the team prepares to compete in the AFC Champions League Elite under the format introduced last season. Having earned their place through a historic domestic double, the club now faces the continent’s best in what promises to be the most intense and competitive tournament in Asian football today.
A Reinvented Format with Heightened Stakes
Now in its second edition under the new structure, the competition features 24 clubs split between East and West regions. Al-Ittihad will compete in the West Region alongside champions and top-ranked clubs from nations including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Iraq.
Each team will play seven matches in the group stage from September to December 2025. These fixtures include three at home, three away, and one at a neutral venue. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams in the region, will progress to the knockout stage. The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played over two legs, and the final will take place as a single match in Riyadh on 2 May 2026.
Success in this tournament also brings qualification for the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, placing even greater importance on Al-Ittihad’s performance.
Noteworthy Opponents
Al-Ittihad will face top-tier competition from across the West Region. Among the clubs expected to participate:
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Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
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Al-Sadd (Qatar)
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Shabab Al-Ahli (United Arab Emirates)
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Persepolis (Iran)
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Air Force Club (Iraq)
The official group stage draw will take place in August. Every fixture will be meaningful, with no margin for error in a format designed for elite-level competition.
Bigger Prize, Bigger Purpose
The AFC Champions League Elite now features the highest prize pool in Asian club football. All teams participating in the group stage will receive 800,000 US dollars. The eventual champions will earn 10 million dollars, while the runners-up will receive 4 million. Additional bonuses are awarded at each knockout stage.
More than financial reward, this is an opportunity for Al-Ittihad to reassert itself at the top of the continental game and pursue major international representation in future global tournaments.
What It Means for Al-Ittihad
This will be Al-Ittihad’s first campaign in the Elite competition, and the challenge will be immediate. The structure demands consistency, discipline, and depth across all areas of the squad. Travel, scheduling, and the level of opposition will test both physical and tactical preparation.
The campaign offers a platform to showcase the club’s identity, its winning mentality, and its ambitions beyond domestic success. With home support expected to be a major advantage, and a squad built to compete, Al-Ittihad will aim to leave a lasting mark on the competition.
The Road Ahead
The group stage draw will be held in August, with matchdays beginning on 15 September 2025. The final will be hosted in Riyadh on 2 May 2026.
With preparation already underway, Al-Ittihad enters the tournament focused and ready. The challenge is clear. The opportunity is massive. And the club is determined to make its presence felt.
The stage is set for a new continental chapter. Al-Ittihad is ready to compete.
