Al-Nassr vs Al-Zawraa AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League Two (often referred to locally as the AFC Cup) is reaching its boiling point this December. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, football fans are treated to a Christmas Eve blockbuster as the Saudi powerhouse Al-Nassr FC hosts the legendary Iraqi club Al-Zawraa SC at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
This Matchday 6 encounter is more than just a game; it is a battle for regional supremacy and a chance for Al-Nassr to maintain their flawless "invincible" record in Group D.
Match Overview: Al-Nassr vs Al-Zawraa
| Detail | Information |
| Event | AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) 2025-26 |
| Date | Wednesday, December 24, 2025 |
| Venue | Al-Awwal Park (King Saud University Stadium), Riyadh |
| Kick-off Time | 09:30 PM IST / 07:00 PM Local / 11:00 AM ET |
| Live Stream | beIN SPORTS, DAZN, SonyLIV (India) |
Kick-off Times Around the World
To ensure you don't miss a second of the action featuring global stars like João Félix and potentially Cristiano Ronaldo, here are the global kick-off times:
India (IST): 9:30 PM (Dec 24)
Saudi Arabia & Iraq (Local): 7:00 PM (Dec 24)
UAE (GST): 8:00 PM (Dec 24)
United Kingdom (GMT): 4:00 PM (Dec 24)
USA (Eastern Time): 11:00 AM (Dec 24)
USA (Pacific Time): 8:00 AM (Dec 24)
Where to Watch: Live Streaming & TV Channels
Broadcasting rights for the AFC Champions League Two are distributed globally. Here is how you can tune in:
1. Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
beIN SPORTS: The primary broadcaster for the AFC competitions. Look for the "AFC" dedicated channels.
SSC (Saudi Sports Company): Will broadcast the match within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Shahid VIP: The digital streaming home for Saudi sports.
2. India and South Asia
Sony Sports Network: Likely to broadcast on Sony Ten channels.
SonyLIV: The official streaming partner for high-definition viewing.
FanCode: Occasionally hosts AFC matches on a match-pass basis.
3. United States & Canada
Paramount+: The home of AFC football in the US.
beIN SPORTS Xtra: Available on various FAST platforms like Pluto TV and Roku.
4. Rest of the World
DAZN: Available in specific markets like Japan and parts of Europe.
AFC Hub (YouTube): In territories where no exclusive broadcast deal exists, the AFC often streams matches live on their official YouTube channel.
Predicted Lineups: Tactical Breakdown
Al-Nassr FC (4-2-3-1)
Coach Jorge Jesus has been rotating his squad for continental games, but with a perfect 5-for-5 record, he may field a strong side to close out the group stage.
Goalkeeper: Bento
Defenders: Al-Ghannam, Simakan (subject to fitness), Al-Amri, Al-Najdi
Midfielders: Marcelo Brozović, Abdullah Al-Khaibari
Attacking Mids: Angelo Gabriel, João Félix, Wesley
Forward: Mohammed Maran (or Cristiano Ronaldo if rested for the first half)
Al-Zawraa SC (4-4-2)
The Iraqi giants, led by Emad El-Nahhas, will likely adopt a more defensive posture to catch Al-Nassr on the counter.
Goalkeeper: Hassan
Defenders: Mustafa Nadhim, Abbas Qasim, Kadhim Raad, Ismael
Midfielders: Hasan Abdulkareem, Al-Rashdan, Bitang, Hamaidan
Forwards: Gbadamosi, Al-Jaki
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
Al-Nassr has historically dominated this fixture. In their last three competitive meetings, Al-Nassr has emerged victorious every time, including a convincing 2-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Al-Nassr Form: W-W-W-W-W (Unbeaten in the group)
Al-Zawraa Form: W-W-L-W-W (Sitting 2nd in Group D)
The Cristiano Ronaldo Factor:
While Ronaldo has often been rested for the "AFC 2" to prioritize the Saudi Pro League, reports suggest he may make a "Christmas cameo" to delight the home fans in Riyadh before the league clash against Al-Okhdood on December 27.
Match Prediction
Al-Nassr's squad depth is significantly superior, and playing at Al-Awwal Park makes them heavy favorites. Al-Zawraa has already secured qualification for the next round, meaning the pressure is off, which could lead to an open, attacking game.
Final Score Prediction: Al-Nassr 3 - 1 Al-Zawraa
Al Nassr is currently competing in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) for the 2025–26 season. Having successfully navigated their group, they are one of the top-performing teams in the West Region.
Below are the latest details regarding their current campaign and history:
Current Campaign: 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two
Al Nassr has dominated Group D, securing their place in the Round of 16 with a perfect record so far.
Standings: 1st in Group D.
Performance: 5 wins in 5 matches, 15 points.
Next Match: vs.
2 Al Zawraa (Iraq)Date: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve)
Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh
Context: While Al Nassr is already qualified, this final group game determines if they finish the stage with a 100% winning record. Cristiano Ronaldo is a possibility for the squad after an extended break, though he has often been rested for continental fixtures this season.
Historical Performance in AFC Competitions
While Al Nassr is a powerhouse in Saudi Arabia, they are still chasing their first ever AFC Champions League (now Elite) title. Their best continental achievements include:
| Trophy / Milestone | Year(s) |
| Asian Cup Winners' Cup | Winner (1997–98) |
| Asian Super Cup | Winner (1998) |
| Asian Club Championship | Runners-up (1995) |
| AFC Champions League | Semi-finals (2020, 2021) |
Note: By winning the Asian Super Cup in 1998, Al Nassr became the first Asian club to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup (2000), earning them the nickname "Al-Alami" (The Global One).
Key Squad & Management
Head Coach: Jorge Jesus (appointed in 2025).
Star Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Sadio Mané, and Marcelo Brozović.
Recent Update: FIFA recently lifted a transfer ban on the club, allowing them to register new players in the upcoming January 2026 window.
2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite (Completed)
In the first half of 2025, Al Nassr competed in the knockout stages of the top-tier ACL Elite.
Team Result: Al Nassr reached the Semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated 3–2 by the Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale on April 30, 2025.
CR7 Stats: Ronaldo finished the 2024–25 campaign with 14 goals across the entire tournament, though he was unable to secure the trophy as Al-Ahli eventually won the title in May.
2. 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two (Current)
Al Nassr is currently competing in the "ACL Two" (the second-tier continental tournament) for the 2025–26 season.
Performance: The team has been unstoppable, winning all 5 group stage matches so far and sitting 1st in Group D.
Ronaldo’s Role: To preserve his fitness for the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo has been rested for all group stage games in this competition so far.
Match Today (Dec 24, 2025): Al Nassr plays Al Zawraa today. While he has been rested previously, fans are watching to see if he will make his debut in this specific tournament now that the Saudi league is approaching its winter restart.
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