Football club Al Hilal confronts potential suspension from the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup
In a recent decision, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has banned Al Hilal from participating in the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup. This ban comes as a result of Al Hilal's withdrawal from the 2025-26 Saudi Super Cup, which they cited as being due to player fatigue following their participation in the Club World Cup.
The withdrawal from the Saudi Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, led to Al Hilal's violation of Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations. Consequently, the club was fined 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) and stripped of any financial awards allocated for this season's Saudi Super Cup.
The ban is not the first title Al Hilal has had to forfeit this season. Having won the Saudi Super Cup last season, marking their record-extending fifth title, the club was set to face King's Cup runners-up Al Qadsiah in the Super Cup semi-finals on August 20. However, due to their ban, they have been replaced by AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli in the Super Cup.
It is worth noting that Al Hilal's withdrawal from the Saudi Super Cup was primarily due to the physical demands of their Club World Cup campaign. After advancing to the knockout stages, the club decided to prioritize their players' well-being, leading to their decision to withdraw from the domestic tournament.
The ban is subject to appeal, and Al Hilal has the opportunity to contest the decision. In the meantime, the Saudi Super Cup semis will see Al Nassr facing Al-Ittihad on August 19, with the two teams vying for a spot in the final.
In the 2024-25 Pro League, Al Hilal finished second behind Al-Ittihad, demonstrating the fierce competition within the Saudi football scene. Despite the setback, Al Hilal will undoubtedly strive to regain their position in the upcoming seasons.
The decision to withdraw from the Saudi Super Cup, a sports event where football and cricket aren't included, resulted from Al Hilal prioritizing their players' well-being after demanding Club World Cup campaigns. Moreover, Al Hilal's forfeit of the 2025-26 Saudi Super Cup title is not their first this season, as they were also replaced by Al Ahli in the Super Cup tournament following their ban.
