Al Ahli’s path in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite has been officially mapped out, with the Saudi giants learning their group stage opponents and full match schedule. The draw, conducted by the Asian Football Confederation, placed Al Ahli in Group D alongside some of the continent’s most formidable clubs.
The group features a stern test of quality, pitting Al Ahli against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain, and Iran’s Sepahan. The competition adopts a true league format within the group, with each team playing one home and one away match against every opponent.
Al Ahli will kick off their continental campaign on the road, traveling to face Sepahan in Iran on September 17, 2025. Their first home match at their fortress follows two weeks later, as they host the Emirati powerhouse Al Ain on October 1, 2025.
The schedule then sees a pivotal double-header against Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds. Al Ahli will first make the trip to Saitama on October 22, 2025, before welcoming the same opponents to Saudi Arabia on November 5, 2025.
As the group stage reaches its climax, Al Ahli will face a challenging away fixture at Al Ain on November 26, 2025. Their fate will then be decided in the final matchday, where they host Sepahan on December 10, 2025, in what could be a decisive encounter for a knockout round berth.
The top two finishers from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals, ensuring every match carries significant weight. For fans eager to follow the action, the tournament’s broadcasting rights across the Middle East and North Africa region are held by the SSC Sports network, which will provide live coverage of all matches.
