English Premier League
Al-Ittihad begin AFC Champions League Elite campaign with Al Jazira play-off
Al-Ittihad will begin their bid to win the AFC Champions League Elite in the 2026-27 season by facing Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates in the qualifying play-off.
The Saudi club are aiming to add another continental trophy to their honours list, having last won the AFC Champions League in 2005. Their supporters will hope the team can make a strong start to the new campaign, particularly after local rivals Al-Ahli won the competition last season.
Al-Ittihad have been required to enter the qualifying play-off after finishing fifth in the Roshn Saudi League. Their first listed fixture is against Al Jazira, with the match scheduled for Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
The game will be played at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Kick-off is set for 20:00 Saudi Arabia time, which is 21:00 in the United Arab Emirates.
The fixture listing records the result as 4-1, with Al Jazira listed first against Al-Ittihad. The match is the opening entry in the available schedule and forms part of the route into the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite campaign.
Al-Ittihad’s pursuit of a return to continental success comes against the backdrop of a long wait for their supporters. The club have not lifted the AFC Champions League trophy since 2005, making the new edition an opportunity to revive their standing in Asia.
The challenge is also shaped by the success of Al-Ahli last season. The achievement of their Jeddah neighbours has increased the focus on Al-Ittihad’s campaign, with the club looking to compete for a major continental honour of their own.
How to watch Al-Ittihad in the AFC Champions League Elite
Matches from the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite can be watched in the Middle East on beIN Sports, which hold the exclusive rights to the competition in the region.
Al-Ittihad’s matches can also be followed online through live streaming on the TOD TV application.
The available fixture details are:
| Match | Date | Time | Result | Stadium |
|||:|:||
| Al Jazira v Al-Ittihad | Tuesday, 11 August 2026 | 20:00 Saudi Arabia; 21:00 UAE | 4-1 | Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium |
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Al-Ittihad’s campaign therefore begins with a qualifying assignment against Al Jazira, after their fifth-place finish in the Roshn Saudi League forced them to take part in the play-off stage. The club’s stated objective is to use the 2026-27 competition as a chance to pursue a new continental title, 21 years after their previous AFC Champions League triumph.
