Al Hilal, the defending champion of the Saudi Super Cup, has been handed a heavy sanction after withdrawing from this season’s four-team competition. The Saudi Arabia Football Federation’s (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee confirmed on Tuesday that the club will be banned from participating in the 2026-27 edition if it qualifies.
The decision comes after Al Hilal pulled out of the tournament, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from August 19-23, citing player fatigue following its FIFA Club World Cup campaign. The Riyadh-based side exited the global tournament earlier this summer after a 2-1 defeat to Brazilian club Fluminense in the quarterfinals on July 4.
In its ruling, the committee stated: “Al Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025-2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued. As a result, the committee ruled that Al Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and fined the club 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) to be paid to the SAFF.”
Beyond the financial penalty, Al Hilal has been stripped of any financial awards tied to this year’s Super Cup and will be excluded from next season’s tournament should it qualify. The committee also confirmed that the decision remains open to appeal.
The club’s withdrawal has caused a reshuffle in the competition lineup. Al Hilal, which was due to face King’s Cup runner-up Al Qadsiah in the semifinals on August 20, has been replaced by AFC Champions League winner Al Ahli. Meanwhile, Al Nassr, who finished third in last season’s Pro League, secured the final Super Cup spot due to Al-Ittihad winning both the league and the King’s Cup. Al Nassr will now meet Al-Ittihad in the opening semifinal on August 19.
The punishment marks a rare setback for Al Hilal, which has been the dominant force in the Saudi Super Cup, lifting the trophy a record five times, including last season’s victory over Al Nassr. However, the disciplinary ruling highlights SAFF’s stance on ensuring clubs honor their commitments to major domestic competitions.
With Al Hilal sidelined, this year’s Super Cup will see a fresh dynamic, as Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadsiah join reigning champions Al-Ittihad in the battle for the trophy.
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