When people ask, can Saudi Pro League play Champions League, the short answer is no — not under the current structures. Saudi clubs are not eligible to compete in the UEFA Champions League. They belong to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and UEFA competitions are reserved for clubs, there’s nuance, debate, and maybe—just maybe—room for change. SansBall will take you through the full picture: what the rules say now, what people are proposing, and what would need to shift for this to ever happen.
What rules currently prevent Saudi clubs from playing in Champions League
To understand why Saudi Pro League clubs can’t take part in the UEFA Champions League, we need to look at a few key rules and organizational structures.
- Confederation membership: Saudi Arabia is a member of the AFC, not UEFA. Only clubs from the 55 member associations under UEFA are eligible to play in UEFA’s club competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. That’s a core structural rule. Any club.
- UEFA’s declarations: The UEFA President has explicitly ruled out allowing Saudi Arabian clubs into UEFA competitions. He emphasized that only European clubs may participate.
- Existing competition alignment: Saudi clubs compete in AFC’s club tournaments (like the AFC Champions League Elite) rather than anything under UEFA. The structure, scheduling, rules, and qualification pathways are all tied to the Asian system.
So as of now, the rules are pretty clear: no crossover. Saudi Pro League clubs are not allowed into the UEFA Champions League under current rules and declarations.
##roposals or rumors have emerged
Even though the official ruling is “no,” there have been rumours, discussions, and proposals floating around. Here’s what people are talking about.
Wild‐card entry proposals
- The Saudi FA and top Saudi clubs reportedly explored the idea of obtaining a wild‐card entry to the Champions League (or its expanded format) for the winner of the Saudi Pro League. The vision was that this would give one Saudi club a spot in the “new” Champions League format (post-expansion) as a special invite.
New Champions League format
- UEFA changed the Champions League starting around the 2024-25 season to a “Swiss‐style” league format rather than strictly traditional groups. Some reports suggested that this change could open possibilities or precedents to bring in non-European clubs or wild cards, though none have been officially accepted.
Pushback from UEFA
- Despite proposals, Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA President) has made clear that no plans exist to change the basic eligibility: only European clubs can compete.
- Saudi Pro League officials have expressed interest and desire, but are also realistic about the hurdles. Some have pushed back against rumors, saying there are currently no concrete agreements or imminent changes for inclusion.
What would need to change for Saudi clubs to join Champions League
It’s not impossible in theory—but getting there would require big shifts. Here are several things that would need to happen.
UEFA membership or special agreement
Saudi Arabia would need either to become associated in some way accepted by UEFA, or for UEFA to revise its rules to allow foreign clubs. Approval from both AFC and FIFA
- Because Saudi clubs are under AFC’s jurisdiction, any shift toward UEFA competitions would require coordination and approval. Structural and scheduling adaptation
- Competing in European competitions would mean changes in travel, match calendars, player registration, match fitness, etc. Saudi clubs would need to align their calendars with those of UEFA competitions.
- UEFA’s willingness to change eligibility rules
- This may be the biggest hurdle: UEFA has repeatedly stated the eligibility is for European clubs. Changing that would be a fundamental change to the definition of the competitions themselves. It could require amending UEFA statutes, which is not simple.
- Impact on European clubs / spots
- If a Saudi club were added, UEFA would need to decide whether they reduce the number of spots for existing European associations or create additional spots. That raises fairness issues and resistance.
What this means for Saudi Pro League now
While Saudi clubs can’t currently play in the Champions League, there are still big implications of this debate.
- Saudi clubs remain highly competitive within AFC competitions. They are investing heavily in players, infrastructure, coaches. This increases their chances in the AFC Champions League Elite and associated tournaments.
- The debate elevates the international profile of thedi Pro League. If wild-card talks or rumors continue, it keeps global attention on the league, which can attract more talent, more broadcast deals, and more financial investment.
- Fans and analysts will continue to wonder “what if?” scenarios. How would Saudi clubs fare vs top European clubs in the Champions League? Could they match the depth and tactical demands? These are interesting thought exercises that keep the conversation alive.
Could things change in the future?
Yes — though it’s not a sure thing. Here are factors that might push toward change:
- owing commercial investment: Saudi clubs are spending big. If this leads to consistently high performance, global fan engagement, and revenue generation, UEFA and others might see value in making exceptions or creating new models.
- Globalization of club football: As football becomes more global, the strict lines between confederations might face pressure.
- Precedents in similar cases: While rare, there have been clubs from transcontinental countries (like Turkey, Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan, etc.) that compete in UEFA despite complex geographies. These precedents might be used in arguments.
- Fan and media pressure: Support, there is no confirmed roadmap or timeline for Saudi clubs joining the Champions League under UEFA.
Conclusion
“Can Saudi Pro League play Champions League?” — at present, the answer is no. The eligibility rules, membership requirements, and UEFA’s stance keep the Saudi Pro League firmly in the AFC camp. Yet, the ambition is clear: Saudi clubs are keen, influential voices are pushing for options, and the world is watching what happens next.
If you want to stay updated, SansBall will keep tabs on developments. Make sure to follow breaking news about UEFA regulations, Saudi FA statements, and any confirmed changes in eligibility. And feel free to ask if you want comparisons — like how Saudi clubs might perform under Champions League experimental formats, or how the AFC Champions League Elite stacks up.
