The Saudi season will play its annual curtain-raiser overseas in Hong Kong as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr take on last year's league champions Al Ittihad in the first semifinal of the four-team Saudi Super Cup.
Al Ittihad won the double last year, securing their spot in the competition. Al Nassr, meanwhile, finished third in the league table.
The matchup pits former Real Madrid teammates Ronaldo and Karim Benzema against one another. Both individuals had prolific preseason appearances recently, with Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick against Portuguese club Rio Ave while Benzema bagged a brace in a 4-2 defeat to Premier League side Fulham.
The other semifinal will feature Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli, after league runners-up Al Hilal withdrew from the competition citing lingering exhaustion from the FIFA Club World Cup. Authorities accepted Al Hilal's withdrawal but are reviewing the situation to determine if they wish to levy any punishments on the club.
Al Nassr vs. Al Ittihad lineups: Confirmed starting XI, team news, injuries
Al Nassr moved for a trio of European stars during this transfer window, signing Joao Felix from Chelsea, defender Inigo Martinez from Barcelona, and Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich.
All three start, with Joao Felix and Coman completing a front four alongside Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Abdulelah Al Amri is back at Al Nassr after spending last season on loan at Al Ittihad and is on the bench.
Al Nassr starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bento (GK) — Boushail, Simakan, Martinez, Yahya — Al-Khaibari, Brozovic — Coman, Joao Felix, Mane — Ronaldo
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Al Ittihad begin the season without goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, who has a muscle injury. They signed Mohammed Al-Absi from Al Shebab but fellow youngster Hamed Al-Shanqity gets the nod between the posts.
Most of Al Ittihad's business this summer came from within the Saudi Pro League, signing Hamed Al-Ghamdi from Al Ettifaq and securing striker Ricardo Carballo from Jeddah. Al-Ghamdi is on the bench.
Al Ittihad predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Al-Shanqity (GK) — Shanqeeti, Al Mousa, Danilo, Mitaj — Kante, Fabinho — Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn — Benzema
Injured: Rajkovic (muscular)
Suspended: None
Al Nassr vs. Al Ittihad match details
- Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local / 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. IST / 10 p.m. AEST
- Location: Hong Kong Stadium (Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)
- Referee: Khalid Al Turais