Asian Champions League draw: Holders Al-Ahli to face former winners Al Ain

Al-Ahli and Al Ain, who will also face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, are the pick of the match-ups in AFC’s Elite draw.Published On 18 Aug 202618 Aug 2026Back-to-back ‌champions Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia will take on 2024 ⁠winners Al Ain of ⁠the United Arab Emirates in the league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite after the draw for ⁠the expanded competition was conducted in Kuala Lumpur.Al-Ahli, now coached by Marino Pusic after Matthias Jaissle left to ⁠⁠join Newcastle United, will also play the Qatari trio Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal and Al-Gharafa, as well as Emirati sides Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl, plus Uzbekistan’s Neftchi and Pakhtakor following Tuesday’s draw.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4NBA: Jeanie Buss ‘contesting’ family’s plan to sell Lakers to Kushner, Igerlist 2 of 4Arsenal defend title against revamped challengers as Premier League returnslist 3 of 4La Liga: The key talking points for Real Madrid before the 2026-27 seasonlist 4 of 4La Liga: Five key talking points heading into Barcelona’s 2026-27 seasonend of listFour-time Asian champions Al Hilal have also been pitted against the same opponents as Al-Ahli.Saudi Pro League’s Al-Nassr, who include form...