This Wednesday, March 4, Al-Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo, was supposed to face Al Wasl in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Two, but the match was postponed.
The match was postponed due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East, which have affected the region's security.
The AFC opted to prioritize the safety of all personnel involved, both from the confederation and each club participating in the Champions League Elite and Champions League Two.
"In light of the developing situation in the Middle East, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Region, originally scheduled for March 2–3, 2026, will now be rescheduled," they said in an official statement, via World Soccer Talk.
"Additionally, the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League quarter-final first-leg matches involving teams in the West Region, originally scheduled to be played between March 3 and 4, 2026, are also postponed until further notice."
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Al-Nassr qualified for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two with a perfect run in the group stage, recording six wins in six matches (18 points).
In the round of 16, they defeated Arkadag 1-0 in the first leg and repeated the scoreline in the second leg, achieving an aggregate of 2-0.
Ronaldo, 41, was not particularly relevant in these matches, as he only played in one group-stage match, where he provided an assist. This is because the AFC Champions League Two is not the main continental competition in Asia and is considered a secondary tournament by head coach Jorge Jesus.
However, it is expected that the Portuguese will have much more participation from the quarterfinals onward, since even though it is a "minor" Cup, it could be Ronaldo's first official title since he arrived in Saudi Arabia.
As the AFC indicated in its statement, there is still no official date to reschedule the quarterfinal matches of said tournament.