Sharjah: The continent’s finest clubs convene in Sharjah as the League Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26 begins on September 15, marking the start of a new season’s quest for glory.
According to Emirates News Agency, the first match kicks off at 5.45 pm at Sharjah Stadium with Sharjah FC making their sixth tournament appearance. The UAE side, which finished second in the league in 2024/25 and clinched their first Continental silverware by lifting the ACL Two trophy, will face Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC. Al Gharafa, making their 11th appearance after finishing third in their league and winning the domestic cup for the eighth time, exited at the League Stage last season.
At 8 pm, Al Wahda FC, four-time UAE league winners and 2024/25 third-place finishers, start their 11th participation and first since 2021. They will face Al Ittihad Club at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Saudi visitors, who won the domestic double in 2024/25, are making their 13th appearance. The two-time winners (2
004, 2005) have the better head-to-head record in their previous six meetings with three wins and two draws.
Shabab Al Ahli, runners-up in 2015, secured their 10th involvement and first since 2022 after winning a domestic double in 2024/25. Their clash against Tractor FC will take place at 8 pm on September 16 at Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
Al Ahli Saudi FC, who had a remarkable unbeaten journey to seal Continental success, begin their title defense at 9.15 pm at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. Making their 14th appearance, they welcome PFC Nasaf, the Uzbekistan league winners of 2024, marking their seventh tournament involvement. This will be their fifth ACL encounter, with the Saudi side having previously won twice and drawn once.
The top eight finishers in each League Stage progress to the Round of 16, scheduled from March 2 to 11, 2026, followed by a centralized Finals in Saudi Arabia between April 17 and 25, 2026.