Al Sadd will begin their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 campaign on Monday against Esteghlal FC of Iran, opening a new continental challenge with a demanding first test. Coach Razvan Lucescu said the team is ready for the occasion, but stressed that complete concentration will be needed from the first whistle.
Lucescu described the competition as a different challenge from the Qatar Stars League campaign, pointing out that Esteghlal are a strong side with good players. His message was simple: Al Sadd must stay focused early and do everything possible to come away with a positive result.
The matchup gives Al Sadd another chance to build on a strong recent run in Asia. Last season, they stunned Al Hilal in the last 16 before falling to Vissel Kobe in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals. That run showed they can handle high-level opposition, even if the final step proved difficult.
There is also a clear historical edge for Al Sadd in this rivalry. They have beaten Esteghlal twice and drawn three times in the last five meetings, a record that should give them confidence going into the opener. Esteghlal, meanwhile, last appeared in the competition in 2024/25 and their previous campaign included scoring droughts in six of their 10 matches.
For Al Sadd, the timing matters as much as the opponent. Monday’s match is the first step in a new continental campaign, and an early result could shape the tone for the rest of the group stage. With Lucescu urging patience and focus, Al Sadd will try to turn their recent experience into another strong start on the Asian stage.
