Asian Champions League: Quarter-Final Draw – Fixtures & Dates Revealed

March 25, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Asian Champions League Quarterfinal Draw Reveals Clash of Titans

The draw for the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinal stage took place Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes matches scheduled to be played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between April 16th and 25th.

The pairings reveal potential showdowns between Saudi and Japanese powerhouses. The winner of the Round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and Qatar’s Al-Sadd will face Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the quarterfinals. Al-Hilal topped the unified West Zone group, although Al-Sadd finished eighth, with Vissel Kobe securing second place in the East Zone.

Another compelling matchup pits the winner of the contest between Saudi titleholders Al-Ahli and Qatar’s Al-Duhail against Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.

Japan’s Machida Zelvia, who finished atop their group in the East Zone, will contend with the victor of the Saudi Arabian clash between Al-Ittihad and the United Arab Emirates’ Al-Wahda.

Thailand’s Buriram United awaits the winner of the match between Iran’s Tractor and the UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli.

The quarterfinal action will commence on April 16th, with subsequent matches on April 17th and 18th. The semifinal matches are slated to begin on April 20th, followed by the second leg on April 21st.

The tournament’s climax, the final match, is scheduled for April 25th at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium. The winning team will claim the coveted trophy and a minimum prize of $12 million USD.

The Round of 16 matches in the West Zone were postponed on April 3rd due to the evolving situation surrounding the conflict involving the United States and Israel in Iran and its regional implications. The East Zone matches were completed as scheduled. Saudi Arabia will host all West Zone Round of 16 matches in a single-match, knockout format on April 13th and 14th.

Al-Ahli Saudi were crowned champions last year, defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in Jeddah.

Quarterfinal Draw:

  • Al-Hilal Saudi/Al-Sadd Qatar – Vissel Kobe Japan
  • Al-Ahli Saudi/Al-Duhail Qatar – Johor Darul Ta’zim Malaysia
  • Machida Zelvia Japan – Al-Ittihad Saudi/Al-Wahda UAE
  • Buriram United Thailand – Tractor Iran/Shabab Al-Ahli UAE