The latest idea of the sheikhs is to have one of their teams participate in the top European competition. There is already a plan in place to achieve this.
A new idea from the Arab Football Federation in Riyadh. The executives of the country’s most prominent clubs, those directly controlled by the royal family and particularly by PIF, the public investment fund: want to compete in the European Champions League.
They already have two highly prestigious international competitions, the Arab Cup held in the summer (recently won by Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr), and the traditional Asian Champions League. However, the sheikhs have also set their sights on the ultimate competition of the old continent.
In the coming months, they might present a very specific request to UEFA: to be granted a “wild card” for entry into the new format of the tournament for the 2024-25 season (no longer 8 groups, but a single group of 36 teams, resembling a true league, with each team playing 8 matches before the knockout phase).
This “wild card” would be dedicated to the winner of the Saudi Pro League. This would allow clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli of Jeddah, or Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal of Riyadh, to gain even more international prestige, compete with the best clubs of the old continent, and further develop the experience and organizational skills of clubs which.
Setting their sights on the Champions League, it’s another objective that Arabian football is aiming for, to establish itself as a true global reference point.
