The Competitions Committee of the Gulf Club Football Association met on March 23, 2026 to determine how to complete the semifinals and final of the Gulf Club Champions League after matches were postponed due to regional challenges. The gathering chaired by Dr. Khalid Al-Muqrin examined options such as centralized venues or single-leg ties to preserve fairness across all sides. The Asian Football Confederation separately moved the West Asia semifinals of the AFC Challenge League to April 19 and 22 with Kuwait Club drawn against Oman’s Al-Shabab and Lebanon’s Al-Ansar facing Kyrgyzstan’s Muras United according to Arab Times.
The committee focused on the postponed semifinals that had been set for early March. Al-Qadsia from Kuwait was scheduled to meet Qatar’s Al-Rayyan on March 4 and 11 in a two-legged tie that could not proceed. Iraq’s Zakho versus Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab represented the other semifinal that was likewise delayed as reported by the Kuwaiti newspaper.
Chaired by Dr. Khalid Al-Muqrin the committee weighed revised formats that would allow the tournament to conclude equitably. Proposals under discussion included staging the remaining fixtures at a single site or condensing the semifinals into one-off matches. Arab Times stated that the priority remained upholding competitive balance while addressing logistical constraints created by the regional situation.
In parallel the AFC confirmed the new dates for the Challenge League semifinals after hosting applications from Kuwait Oman Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan closed on March 19 without an immediate venue decision. The two West Asia semifinal victors were set to meet on April 22 to produce the zonal champion that would face the East Asia winner in the final scheduled for May 9. The confederation’s adjustment formed part of broader efforts to maintain the competition calendar amid ongoing disruptions.
The Gulf Club Champions League organised by the AGCFF brings together leading clubs from the six GCC nations and has featured expanded participation in recent editions. Tournament records show Saudi clubs such as Al-Shabab have secured multiple titles while Qatar’s Al-Rayyan has emerged as a consistent contender reaching the 2026 final stages. Wikipedia data on the competition lists Al-Rayyan as the 2025-26 champion after defeating Al-Shabab 3-0 in the final played at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Kuwait Club approaches the AFC Challenge League semifinals with a track record of continental success. The AFC has described the Challenge League as Asia’s third-tier club competition that provides pathways for developing football nations. Later results from the 2025-26 edition posted on the AFC website show Kuwait SC lifting the title with a 4-3 extra-time victory over Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng in the May 13 final.
Clubs involved in both tournaments awaited clear direction from the respective governing bodies following the March 23 meeting. The Gulf association sought to finalise arrangements that would enable teams to prepare without further uncertainty. Similar calendar revisions have been applied across other AFC club events this season to ensure all competitions reach completion.
