Kingdom Arena Showdown: Hilal vs Ittihad – Who Smiles After the Founding Round Clash?

Clash Preview

Fans of Saudi and Arab football are eagerly awaiting the clash between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad on Saturday night, the 23rd round of the Saudi Pro League, nicknamed the Founding Round. The rivalry between the Riyadh and Jeddah giants is one of the fiercest in the region, a constant duel for trophies and top positions.

Al Hilal arrives in top form and sits at the summit with 53 points, while Al Ittihad sits seventh with 37, chasing a surge up the table. The match carries extra weight as both teams aim to assert their dominance ahead of the rest of the season.

Stakes and History

Kingdom Arena, the home of Hilal, is reported to host this meeting for the fourth time, following three previous fixtures between the clubs. The first league clash yielded a 3-1 victory for Hilal, the second in the AFC Champions League produced a 2-0 Hilal win, and the third in the King’s Cup ended with Al Ittihad taking the tie on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

The stakes are higher this time with Karim Benzema making his long-awaited debut for Hilal against his former side, following his winter move. The romance of big signings meets a classic rivalry and adds a new chapter to a fixture that is already a staple of Saudi football.

Benzema’s First Appearance and Kickoff Details

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time on February 21, 2026, with both sides looking to secure three points in a match that could reshape the balance of power in the league and fuel the season’s narrative.

Two quick notes from the history books: the meeting in the league ended 3-1 for Hilal; the Champions League clash went 2-0 to Hilal; and the King’s Cup tie was decided by penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Punchline time: If football were a sniper, the ball would be the bullet and the net the lucky target—talk about perfect aim. And in this derby, even the coffee at Kingdom Arena might spill when Benzema hits the pitch—because goals, not lattes, are what fans crave.