Al-Hilal draw Al-Ain as AFC Champions League Elite sets up Gulf blockbusters | OneFootball

Tuesday's league-phase draw in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, delivered heavyweight Arab contests for the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite, headlined by Al-Hilal against Al-Ain. The tie reprises last season's semi-final.

According to Goal.com, the Asian Football Confederation has expanded the league phase to 32 clubs from 24. The opening round is on 14 and 15 September 2026.

Round two falls on 12 and 13 October, round three on 26 and 27 October, and round four on 2 and 3 November. Round five is set for 23 and 24 November, with round six on 7 and 8 December, before a break. Play resumes with round seven on 8 and 9 February 2027, then round eight on 15 and 16 February.

The West region produced a string of Gulf blockbusters. Al-Nassr face Al-Sadd, and Al-Ahli meet Shabab Al-Ahli, alongside Al-Hilal's clash with Al-Ain.

Saudi Arabia's quartet of Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad were drawn against the same bloc of opponents from Qatar, the UAE and Uzbekistan. They will face Al-Ain, Al-Wasl, Shabab Al-Ahli, Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa, Al-Shamal, Nasaf and Pakhtakor, with league results decisive for direct qualification to the knockouts.

Source: Goal.com

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