Al-Ittihad delay team announcement as Asian Champions League Elite hopes face early test

Al-Ittihad face a crucial AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Neftchi Fergana on Monday, with their early hopes in the competition at risk as they travel to Uzbekistan for a match they cannot afford to lose.

Sources told Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya that head coach Jens Wissing has decided not to reveal his starting XI until the final technical meeting before kick-off. The move is intended to complicate Neftchi Fergana’s preparations and keep Al-Ittihad’s tactical plans under wraps.

In a further decision that reportedly surprised those inside the camp, Wissing has left striker Saleh Al-Shehri and midfielder Rakan Al-Kaabi completely out of the matchday squad.

The omissions suggest the German coach is unhappy with their technical performances and is prepared to make significant changes in an attempt to produce a reaction from his team.

Al-Ittihad will visit Neftchi Fergana at Fargona Stadium, with the match scheduled to begin at 16:45 Mecca time on Monday, 26 October 2026. It is the third round of the continental competition.

The Jeddah club go into the fixture under considerable pressure. They are 11th in the standings with one point, having drawn 1-1 with Qatar’s Al-Shamal before losing 2-1 to Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.

That run has left Al-Ittihad needing a positive result to improve their position and prevent their campaign from becoming increasingly difficult at an early stage.

Neftchi Fergana start the match in seventh place with three points and have shown a mixed record in their opening two games. They began with a 1-0 victory over Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, but then suffered a 3-1 defeat by Al-Nassr.

The Uzbek side therefore have the opportunity to move further ahead of Al-Ittihad with another win, while the visitors will be seeking their first victory of the AFC Champions League Elite campaign.