AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 advances to round of 16 stage

The 2025/26 AFC Champions League Elite season has reached a pivotal point, with the round of 16 scheduled to begin on March 2 and 3 following the conclusion of the league stage in both the West and East regions.

Teams that navigated the demanding league phase are preparing for home-and-away knockout matches that will determine the continent's top eight clubs. In the West region, Saudi Arabian sides Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad topped the standings and advanced after strong performances. The East region qualifiers include teams from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

Key early March fixtures include Johor Darul Ta'zim against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Melbourne City versus Buriram United. Under the tournament format, the top eight teams per region will play two-legged ties, with first legs on March 2-3 and return legs on March 9-10. Winners advance to the next stage in late spring, culminating in the final in late April.

The stakes are high, as the champion earns spots in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Coaches and players are gearing up for the intensity of knockout play.

In other sports news, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina concluded on Monday after two weeks of competition. Norway topped the medal table with 18 golds and 41 total, reinforcing its winter sports dominance. The United States took second with 12 golds and 33 medals overall, capped by an overtime win in men's ice hockey on the final day. Host Italy achieved its best-ever haul of 30 medals, while the Netherlands excelled in speed skating with 20 medals. Athletes from 92 countries competed, with strong showings from Germany, France, Sweden and Japan.

Ariana News will broadcast a group-stage match in the AFC Champions League Two between Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and Iraq's Al-Zawraa live and exclusively at 8:30 p.m. Afghan time on Wednesday, December 24. The game in Riyadh is crucial for both teams' knockout hopes, with Al-Nassr leveraging home advantage and attacking stars, and Al-Zawraa relying on disciplined defense and counters.