The draw for the league stage of the AFC Champions League 2026-2027 resulted in some tough matches, revealing a number of anticipated Arab and Gulf clashes in the new edition of the tournament.
The draw was held today, Tuesday, in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, amid great anticipation from the participating clubs, in light of the new system that sees the number of teams in the league stage increased to 32 teams instead of 24.
The league stage competitions in the West region will begin on September 14 and 15, 2026, and will continue until February 2027, before moving on to the knockout rounds.
The draw pitted Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal against the UAE’s Al-Ain, in a repeat of the encounter that brought the two teams together in last season’s semi-final, giving the anticipated match a revenge-driven character and additional excitement.
Al-Hilal also faces a number of strong competitors, including Iran’s Tractor, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadisiyah, in addition to other matches against clubs from Qatar, the UAE and Uzbekistan.
For its part, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr faces a tough test against Qatar’s Al-Sadd, in addition to other matches against Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli, Neftchi and Pakhtakor, as well as a number of other clubs participating in the West Zone.
As for Al-Ahli Saudi, the defending champion, it will meet with Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE, in addition to tough matches against Al-Ain, Esteghlal of Iran, Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal, Pakhtakor, Al-Ittihad and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.
For its part, Al-Ittihad Saudi faces a group of strong competitors, most notably Al-Sadd, Al-Ain, Shabab Al-Ahli, Al-Gharafa, Al-Wasl, Pakhtakor and Al-Shamal, in addition to a local match against Al-Hilal.
The new version features a significant change in the tournament system, as the number of clubs participating in the league stage has been increased to 32 teams, with 16 clubs in each of the West and East regions.
The clubs in each region are divided into four levels, so that each team plays eight matches against different opponents, with two matches against teams from each level, with the matches distributed between home and away.
The top finishers qualify for the knockout rounds, which will determine the champion of the new edition.
Al-Ahli Saudi holds the title from the previous edition and seeks to maintain its continental throne for the second consecutive season, while the rest of the Saudi clubs are looking to regain the title and compete strongly for the championship.
Round 1: September 14–15, 2026 (West), September 15–16 (East). Round
2: October 12–13 (West), October 13–14 (
East). Round 3: October 26–27 (West), October
27–28 (East). Round 4: November 2–3 (West), November 3–4 (East).
Round 5: November 23–24 (West), November 24–25 (East).
Round 6: December 7–8 (West), December 1–2 (East).
Round 7: February 8–9, 2027 (West), February 9–10 (East).
Round 8: February 15–16 (West), February 16–17 (East).
