Al-Hilal banned from 2026/27 Saudi Super Cup after withdrawing from tournament
The Saudi club is also fined $133,000 after pulling out of the 2025/26 edition due to player fatigue
Al-Hilal has been banned from the 2026/27 Saudi Super Cup, following its controversial decision to withdraw from the upcoming 2025/26 edition. The ruling was announced by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation on Tuesday (August 5).
Withdrawal Sparks Sanctions
The Saudi giants had previously confirmed their participation in this season’s Super Cup, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from August 19 to 23. However, the club later cited player exhaustion after a congested fixture list which included the Club World Cup as the reason for their withdrawal.
According to reports from Lance!, the decision sparked strong reactions from federation officials and prompted disciplinary action from the governing body.
Financial Penalty and Appeal Option
In addition to the one-year ban, Al-Hilal was fined $133,000, equivalent to approximately R$733,000 at current exchange rates. The fine was issued as part of the official ruling made public by the Saudi FA.
Despite the punishment, the club retains the right to appeal the decision. Should the appeal be successful, Al-Hilal would regain eligibility to participate in the 2026/27 Super Cup, provided they qualify through league performance.
The club’s legal department is reportedly evaluating all available options in hopes of overturning the decision before the end of the current season.
Focus Turns to Saudi Pro League
While the legal battle looms, Al-Hilal continues its preseason preparations, with a series of friendlies scheduled ahead of their Saudi Pro League debut. The team is expected to return to official competition in the coming weeks as they aim to build on last season’s success both domestically and internationally.
