Prominent Saudi journalist Waleed Al-Faraj stated that the likelihood of the 2025-26 AFC Champions League being canceled is increasing due to the ongoing war in the Arabian Gulf region over the past two weeks. The potential cancellation would be unprecedented in the history of Asian club football.
Why the Tournament Faces Cancellation
The Round of 16 matches for the West Zone were scheduled to take place in the last two weeks, but the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to postpone them indefinitely until the situation in the region stabilizes.
The AFC remains confident in its ability to hold the matches and complete the tournament, but the security situation has not shown signs of improvement, and the window for rescheduling is narrowing. With clubs needing to plan their seasons and player contracts running on fixed timelines, an indefinite postponement creates logistical chaos.
Impact on Saudi and Gulf Clubs
Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad are among the Saudi clubs still competing in the tournament, and all three had strong ambitions of reaching the later rounds. For Al-Hilal in particular, the AFC Champions League represents a priority target after their domestic dominance.
Gulf clubs have invested heavily in squad building with continental glory in mind. A cancellation would not only waste those investments but also deprive the region’s top clubs of crucial competitive matches ahead of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
What Happens If the Tournament Is Canceled?
The AFC has several options under consideration:
- Full cancellation — No champion declared for 2025-26, a first in the competition’s modern era
- Neutral venue — Move remaining matches to a neutral country outside the conflict zone
- Extended postponement — Push matches to later in 2026, compressing the schedule
Each option carries significant complications. Moving to a neutral venue would require agreement from all participating clubs and federations, while a compressed schedule risks player welfare concerns.
Historical Precedent
The CAF Champions League has also faced scheduling disruptions in recent years due to political and security concerns, but outright cancellation of a continental club competition would set a worrying precedent for world football.
The AFC is expected to make a definitive decision within the next two weeks, with the May international window serving as an informal deadline for any rescheduling plans.
Financial Impact on Clubs
A cancellation or extended postponement would have significant financial implications for participating clubs. Prize money from the AFC Champions League represents a substantial revenue stream, particularly for clubs from smaller Asian federations who rely on continental competition income to fund their operations.
Broadcasting contracts would also be affected. Asian football’s broadcasting deals have grown significantly in recent years, and a canceled tournament could complicate negotiations for future rights packages. Sponsors who signed multi-year deals with the AFC would also be seeking clarity on their investments.
For Saudi clubs specifically, the timing intersects with the broader vision of Saudi Arabia as a global football hub. The kingdom’s clubs have spent billions assembling star-studded squads, and being denied the chance to compete for continental honors undermines the sporting rationale for that investment.
