Al Wahda Eyes Sweep in Iran as AFC Champions League Elite West Rolls On

Match Preview

Al Wahda of the UAE travels to Iran to face Tractor Sazi in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite West, set for Monday at Yadegar Emam Stadium in Tabriz. Wahda will wear the white away kit, while Tractor Sazi deploys the red home kit.

Head coach Jose Morais spoke at the pre-match press conference, noting that all AFC Champions League games are demanding and that Tractor Sazi is one of Iran’s most storied clubs with the potential for success.

“We are here to win and to secure the best possible result. We must stay focused and adapt to match conditions, especially since it’s away from home. It’s important to secure a positive result after our first points in the competition against Al Ittihad,” Morais said.

Mohammad Rasoul, Wahda player, added, “Tractor is a big team in Iran with standout players. We’ve come to win and achieve the best possible result.”

He continued, “Concentration and handling the conditions will be key, especially away from home. We have big ambitions to deliver a result that pleases our fans and advances our Asian campaign.”

Wahda supporters announced an innovative fan initiative by watching the match at City Cinemas in Abu Dhabi’s canal district; two halls sold out and a third hall opened to accommodate more fans.

Predicted team news for Wahda includes goalkeeper Mohammed Al Shamsi, with a backline and midfield described as solid and balanced, aiming to translate domestic form into continental success for this fixture.

Tractor Sazi’s lineup is expected to feature a reliable back four, a midfield spine, and a dynamic attack, with a focus on exploiting home comfort and Wahda’s away-day challenge.

Historically, Wahda’s visit to Iran has been challenging, with the UAE side not securing a win there before; they have two draws and four losses in prior Iranian trips. Tractor, by contrast, has a strong home scoring record in ACL play, having found the net in nine straight home fixtures, though they have conceded in their last four matches and own a mixed recent form (one win, one draw, two losses).

Wahda’s opening-round victory against Al Ittihad provided a confidence boost, and the team enters Iran with renewed belief. Tractor drew 1-1 with Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in Dubai in their opener, a result that adds to the intrigue of this clash.

Domestically, Wahda has been solid, already progressing to the Last 16 of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup and sitting second in the ADNOC Pro League table, underscoring a strong start to the season.

Either side will want to seize early control as the West’s second-round schedule unfolds, with eight group-stage matches in total and a late-stage roadmap that culminates in a Saudi-hosted knockout phase in 2026.

Other West fixtures on the slate Monday include Nasaf vs. Al Hilal in Nasaf, Al Gharafa vs. Al Shorta in Al Rayyan, Duhail vs. Al Ahli Saudi in Doha, and Al Sadd vs. Sharjah in Doha; Tuesday’s schedule rounds out with Al Hilal vs. Al Sadd in Riyadh and other cross-region meetings.

With the table showing Al Ahli Saudi top of the West on three points, Wahda and the rest chase consistency to stay within reach of advancing to the knockout rounds, with the group stage wrapping up in early 2026.

Looking ahead, the third round of West fixtures is slated for Oct. 20-21, featuring Wahda vs. Duhail in Abu Dhabi, Al Shorta vs. Al Ittihad in Baghdad, Sharjah vs. Tractor in Sharjah, and Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa in Jeddah. On Oct. 21, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai vs Nasaf in Dubai and Al Hilal vs Al Sadd in Riyadh will complete the round.

Each team will play eight group-stage matches, with the top eight advancing to the Round of 16 in March 2026; the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final are planned as a centralized event in Saudi Arabia in April 2026.

Punchline time: If football were a sniper, this West group would be a perfectly aimed shot—just don’t miss the target, or you’ll be left chasing VAR like it’s a scavenger hunt. And hey, if the ball had GPS, at least it would know exactly where to land—preferably in the back of the net.