Doha, Qatar: The AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026 promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle after the conclusion of the Knockout Stage draw, which took place yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
The centralised Finals will run from April 16 to 25, 2026, with the last eight teams set to battle it out in exciting cross-regional clashes. All seven matches in this stage will be played as single-leg ties.
The Knockout Stage will be preceded by the West Zone’s Round of 16, which will also be contested as a single leg affair in Jeddah on April 13 and 14.
The winners of the Al Hilal SFC/Al Sadd SC Round of 16 tie will face Vissel Kobe in the quarter-finals. Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal topped the West Zone League Stage while Al Qatar’s Al Sadd finished eighth. Japan’s Vissel were second in the East Zone.
Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC or Al Duhail SC will meet Johor Darul Ta’zim FC at the last eight stage. Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli were second in the West Zone League Stage while Qatar’s Al Duhail finished seventh. Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia were sixth in the East Zone.
Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia, who topped the East Zone League Stage, will play the winners of the Al Ittihad Club/Al Wahda FC tie. Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad were fourth in the West Zone, with UAE’s Al Wahda a spot lower.
Buriram United of Thailand will face the victors of the Tractor FC-Shabab Al Ahli last 16 tie in the quarter-finals. Buriram finished fourth in the East Zone while Iran’s Tractor were third in the West Zone League stage with Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates three spots lower. The first quarter-final is scheduled to take place on April 16, followed by the second and third on April 17, with the final tie to be played on April 18. The first semi-final is slated for April 20, followed by the second contest on April 21.
The Continent’s ultimate men’s club prize will be won at the epic Final match on April 25 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
