The Aporia · Asian Champions League draw: Holders Al-Ahli to face former winners Al Ain

The draw for the expanded Asian Champions League Elite was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, pitting current champions Al-Ahli against 2024 winners Al Ain and other teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Australia. The league phase will feature 32 teams divided into two groups of 16, with the top eight finishers from each side advancing to the knockout rounds. The finals phase is set to take place in Saudi Arabia on April 23-24, with the tournament's hosting rights having been confirmed to be held there for three consecutive years. Al-Ahli will also face other teams including Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal, and Al-Gharafa from Qatar, as well as Uzbekistan's Neftchi and Pakhtakor.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-08-18, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

Story summary

Back-to-back champions Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia will face 2024 winners Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Champions League Elite. The draw for the expanded competition was held in Kuala Lumpur, and Al-Ahli, now coached by Marino Pusic after Matthias Jaissle's departure to Newcastle United, will also play against several other teams, including Qatari sides Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal, and Al-Gharafa, as well as Emirati clubs Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl, Uzbekistan's Neftchi and Pakhtakor, and Saudi Pro League teams. Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal have also been matched against the same opponents as Al-Ahli, while Saudi Pro League's Al-Nassr, featuring former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, will face off against Al Ain.

Written for “Asian Champions League Draw” on 2026-10-16, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Asian Champions League Draw

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Al-Ahli, now coached by Marino Pusic after Matthias Jaissle left to join Newcastle United, will also play the Qatari trio Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal and Al-Gharafa, as well as Emirati sides Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl, plus Uzbekistan’s Neftchi and Pakhtakor following Tuesday’s draw.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-08-18

🔮 Back-to-back champions Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia will take on 2024 winners Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite after the draw for the expanded competition was conducted in Kuala Lumpur.

2026-08-18 · Al Jazeera

Asian Champions League draw: Holders Al-Ahli to face former winners Al Ain · assertive framing

Back-to-back champions Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia will take on 2024 winners Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite after the draw for the expanded competition was conducted in Kuala Lumpur. asserted

draw → take → Lumpur

Jaissle → coach → draw

Jeanie Buss ‘contesting’ family’s plan to sell Lakers to Kushner, Iger - list 2 of 4Arsenal defend title against revamped challengers as Premier League returns - list 3 of 4La Liga: asserted

League → contest → challengers

Five key talking points heading into Barcelona’s 2026-27 season Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal have also been pitted against the same opponents as Al-Ahli. asserted

champions → head → Ahli

Saudi Pro League’s Al-Nassr, who include former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, have also been pitted against Al Ain. asserted

who → include → Ain

The league phase has been increased from 24 to 32 teams, with the opening round to commence on September 14 and finish on February 17. asserted

round → increase → February

Japan’s Kashima Antlers, the last team from East Asia playing in the current edition to have won the title, will face twice-winners Jeonbuk Motors from South Korea as well as Thai sides Buriram United, Port FC and Ratchaburi FC. asserted

Antlers → play → Korea

The J-League side will also take on tournament debutants Cong An Ha Noi from Vietnam, Daejeon Citizen and Pohang Steelers from South Korea, and Australian champions Newcastle Jets. asserted

side → take → Korea

Clubs in the west and east of the continent are divided into separate groups of 16 teams for the league phase, with the top eight finishers on each side advancing to the knockout rounds. asserted

finishers → divide → rounds

Those last 16 matches will also be held on a regional basis, with the four victorious teams from the two sides of the confederation advancing to the centralised finals, which will be played in Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row. asserted

which → hold → row

The finals phase – featuring the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final – will kick off on April 23 and run until May 1. Al-Ahli defeated Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time to retain the 2026 AFC Champions League Elite title. uncertain

Ahli → feature → title

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has been confirmed to organise the next three editions of the Asian Champions League Elite finals after the AFC’s executive committee confirmed the country’s provisional hosting rights had been made permanent. asserted

rights → confirm → finals

Asian Champions League draw: Holders Al-Ahli to face former winners Al Ain

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