Shabab Al Ahli to Host Tractor in 2025-26 ACL Elite
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Shabab Al Ahli and Tractor will both be out to mark their return to the top tier of Asian club football with victory when they square off in their opening AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 tie on Tuesday.
Both featured in the AFC Champions League Two last season and confirmed their elevation to the AFC Champions League Elite by emerging champion of their respective countries.
The sides have history, having met in the 2015 group stage of the AFC Champions League with both having won once each with Shabab Al Ahli eventually finishing as the runner-up.
The UAE side will head into the match on a nine-match unbeaten run against teams from Iran.
Tractor, who won its domestic title for the first time last season, also has an unbeaten run to protect - having not suffered defeat in its last five encounters against teams from the UAE.
It will have to watch out for Sardar Azmoun, with the Iranian striker netting nine goals for Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League Two last season.
The match will be held in Dubai’s Rashid Stadium.
