Al Ahli steps in for Al Hilal at Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong
RIYADH — Al Ahli have officially agreed to participate in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup, stepping in to replace Al Hilal, who withdrew from the tournament due to player fatigue and scheduling conflicts.
The competition, set to take place in Hong Kong from Aug. 19–23, will now see Al Ahli face Al Qadsiah in the semifinal on August 20. The other semifinal pits Al Nassr against Al Ittihad.
Al Ahli's German manager Matthias Jaissle approved the club's participation, viewing the tournament as an ideal opportunity to sharpen the squad ahead of the new season.
The Saudi Football Federation confirmed receiving an official withdrawal letter from Al Hilal and said it will proceed with necessary measures in accordance with tournament regulations. The decision will be handled through relevant committees and the official Super Cup rulebook.
In a detailed statement released Monday, Al Hilal explained that their withdrawal was prompted by medical and physical considerations following their extended Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
The club's participation in the global tournament left players with only 21 to 24 days of rest, violating the 28-day annual leave stipulated in their professional contracts under Saudi Football Federation regulations.
The club emphasized that the short recovery period, compounded by international duty commitments, raised the risk of player injuries.
The statement also noted logistical challenges, as the federation's calendar released on June 1 did not specify Hong Kong as the venue—an announcement only made on June 13, after the team had departed for the U.S.
Al Hilal, who earned their Super Cup spot as Saudi Pro League runners-up, were initially drawn to face Al Qadsiah in the semifinal.
The club stated its pride in past Super Cup successes but reiterated that the decision to withdraw was made in the best interest of both players and the national team, especially with the October World Cup qualification playoff approaching.
With Al Ahli stepping in, the revised tournament lineup keeps the four-team format intact and ensures the event remains a key fixture ahead of the 2025–26 domestic season.
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