DOHA : The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed several matches in its club competitions, citing regional tensions and security concerns that have disrupted team travel and logistics.
The governing body said it had indefinitely delayed the Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Zone of the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League, which had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Quarter-final first legs in both the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League and the 2025-2026 AFC Challenge Cup, due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, have also been postponed until further notice.
The decision was taken as a precautionary measure amid difficulties related to the movement of teams between host cities and broader organisational and security considerations, the AFC said.
Among the affected fixtures, Qatar’s Al-Duhail were due to face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the West Zone Round of 16, while Al-Sadd were scheduled to meet Al-Hilal. In the AFC Champions League 2 quarter-finals, Al-Ahli had been set to take on Jordan’s Al-Hussein.
The Asian Football Confederation said it would continue to monitor regional developments before confirming new dates, stressing that the safety and security of players, officials and supporters remained its top priority.
