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The World on a Quest: Al Nassr Eyes a Home ACL 2 Final in a Turbocharged Quarterfinal Run

20 February 2026

The World on a Quest: Al Nassr Eyes a Home ACL 2 Final in a Turbocharged Quarterfinal Run
Al Nassr eyes ACL 2 final at home

Final venue and progress

"The World" looks set for a smooth ride in the Asian championship.

The World sees Al Nassr poised to reach the Asian ACL 2 final at their home ground, First Park, if they advance.

Nassr advanced to the ACL 2 quarterfinals, eyeing a UAE clash with Al Wasl after sweeping Arkadag Turkmenistan in the Round of 16.

Scheduling changes and potential paths

Badr Al-Abid, Asian football expert, told the show Dawri Ghair: Nassr were due to meet Al Wasl on March 3 and 10, in the quarterfinals.

But AFC moved the fixtures to March 4 and 11, citing clashes with Elite Cup and a marketing recommendation, with coordination across all parties.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal face Al Sadd and Al Ittihad meets Al Wehda on March 3 and 10 in the Elite Cup ties.

Al Abid added: if Nassr reaches the ACL 2 final, the title decider would be at First Park.

If Nassr beats Al Wasl, they would face the winner of Qatar’s Al Ahli Doha and Hussein Irbid in the semis, while the other path features Gamba Osaka, Tampines Rovers, Ratchaburi and Bangkok United.

Punchline: If calendars and kickoff times had a dating app, they’d swipe right on chaos.

Punchline: The trophy might finish its world tour before the fans finish their popcorn.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were the ACL 2 quarterfinals originally scheduled and what happened to those dates?

Originally set for March 3 and 10, the matches were moved to March 4 and 11 due to clashes with Elite Cup games and a marketing recommendation.

Where would the ACL 2 final be played if Al Nassr advances?

If Nassr reaches the final, it would be played at First Park, Al Nassr’s home ground.

Who could Nassr face in the semifinals and what other teams are in the mix?

The semifinal opponent would be the winner of Al Ahli Doha vs Hussein Irbid, with other potential contenders including Gamba Osaka, Tampines Rovers, Ratchaburi, and Bangkok United.