Holders Al Ahli face tough challenge from Shabab Al Ahli in ACL Elite

The AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite 2025/26 is ready to ignite following the League Stage Draw in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on Friday.

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The draw produced scintillating match-ups, with the league stage to kick off on Sept.15.

Al Ahli Saudi FC, who won the 2024/25 edition in spectacular fashion, can expect a challenging title defence.

Defending champions Al Ahli will face a reunion with Roberto Firmino in the league phase after the Saudi Pro League side were drawn to meet the former Liverpool forward’s new side Al-Sadd of Qatar.

Firmino was instrumental in the Jeddah-based outfit lifting the continental title for the first time in May when he inspired Al Ahli to a 2-0 win over Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in the final before leaving the club in July.

The Brazilian has since joined the Qatar Stars League champions and the two clubs have been drawn to face one another in Doha during the eight-match league phase of the competition.

The Jeddah-based side will face Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), PFC Nasaf (Uzbekistan), Sharjah FC (UAE), Al Gharafa SC (Qatar), Al Sadd SC (Qatar), Al Shorta (Iraq), Al Duhail SC (Qatar) and Al Wahda FC (UAE), their other opponents.