Asia's Champions League Comes Back to Life: Scheduling Meeting to Lock in Final Dates
10 March 2026
Update on ACL Elite rounds and postponements
The AFC Champions League, including the Elite rounds and ACL 2, is on the verge of a restart after a recent, abrupt pause. The competition’s stakes remain sky-high as teams prepare to re-enter continental action.
Originally, the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals of the Elite and Elite 2 were scheduled for March 2–4 (first legs) and March 9–11 (second legs). The matches in the Western region were then postponed following regional tensions, notably linked to Iranian actions affecting several Arab states.
The Saudi channel Al Ekhbariya quoted statements attributed to the Asian Football Confederation, confirming ongoing coordination with all relevant parties to pin down the delayed dates for the two competitions.
The AFC has yet to decide on the format of the Elite Round of 16—whether it will be a single-match knockout or two-legged ties—according to the same communications from the federation.
As reported by Asharq Al-Awsat, the AFC Competitions Department will meet with Gulf associations on Wednesday to study the postponed fixtures and set new dates. The goal is to align these dates before the planned gathering in Jeddah on April 16, and to determine the best approach for the Elite Round of 16.
Highlighted matchups for the Elite Round of 16 include Al Hilal against Al Sadd, Al Ahli versus Al Duhail, Al Ittihad facing Al Wahda, and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai against Tractor. In ACL 2 Quarterfinals, Al Nassr takes on Al Wasl, while Al Ahli Qatar meets Al Hussein Irbid.
Shifting gears, you can also check out reports on the new dates for Nasser vs Wasl in Asia. Shifting schedules: reports on new dates for Nasser vs Wasl in Asia
