The draw for the 2025–2026 AFC Champions League Elite took place on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, setting up challenging fixtures for the UAE’s representatives, Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah, and Al Wahda, as they prepare for Asia’s top club competition.
All three sides are determined to go as far as possible and secure a place for UAE football on the continental podium.
Shabab Al Ahli, last season’s historic quadruple winners, will play at home against Tractor of Iran, Nasaf of Uzbekistan, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, and Al Gharafa of Qatar, while facing Al Sadd of Qatar, Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, Al Duhail of Qatar, and Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia away from home.
Sharjah will also host Tractor, Nasaf, Al Hilal, and Al Gharafa, and travel to meet Al Sadd, Al Ahli, Al Duhail, and Al Ittihad.
Al Wahda will welcome Al Sadd, Al Ahli, Al Duhail, and Al Ittihad, and will travel to play Tractor, Nasaf, Al Hilal, and Al Gharafa.
The AFC Champions League Elite, introduced last season, follows a format similar to the UEFA Champions League.
The group stage includes 24 teams, divided equally between the East and West regions. Each team plays eight matches, four at home and four away, against eight different opponents.
The top eight teams from each region advance to the Round of 16, played over two legs. The winners move on to the quarterfinals, held in Saudi Arabia as a single-match knockout stage.
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