Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Hilal Soccer Membership Firm has formally determined that the primary soccer group won’t take part within the 2025/2026 version of the Saudi Tremendous Cup.
This choice was conveyed by a proper letter despatched to the Saudi Arabian Soccer Federation (SAFF), wherein the membership outlined the distinctive circumstances that led to its withdrawal from the event.
The membership defined that the Saudi Tremendous Cup draw, held on June 19, 2025, got here simply sooner or later after Al Hilal’s opening group-stage match on the FIFA Membership World Cup in the USA towards Actual Madrid.
The Saudi consultant superior honorably to the Spherical of 16 and Quarterfinals, the latter held on July 4.
Following that match, the group remained in Orlando for 3 extra days resulting from journey constraints—successfully limiting the gamers’ low season to only 24 days if the membership withdrew from the Tremendous Cup, or 21 days if it participated.
This case, the membership pressured, violates clause (5.6) of the necessary contract annexes underneath SAFF’s Professionalism and Participant Standing Rules, which ensures gamers a minimal of 28 days of annual go away.
The clause can also be embedded in all skilled contracts signed with Al Hilal’s first-team gamers.
The letter additionally highlighted that these distinctive circumstances resulted within the gamers’ annual go away overlapping with the pre-season intervals of different golf equipment, placing Al Hilal at a aggressive drawback.
The membership has but to begin its pre-season preparations—delayed as a result of prolonged season and restricted restoration time.
Furthermore, the home competitors calendar issued by SAFF on June 1 made no point out of the Tremendous Cup being hosted in Hong Kong.
The situation was solely introduced on June 13, after the group had already departed for the U.S., and earlier than any Membership World Cup matches had been performed. On the time, the length of their worldwide marketing campaign remained unsure.
Al Hilal emphasised its satisfaction within the Tremendous Cup, a event it has gained on a number of events.
Nonetheless, the membership famous {that a} bodily and muscular evaluation of a number of gamers confirmed indicators of maximum fatigue after a year-long marketing campaign, compounded by nationwide group responsibility and participation within the Membership World Cup.
The choice to not take part, it mentioned, serves each the membership’s long-term pursuits and people of the Saudi nationwide group, which is ready to start an important coaching camp in October forward of World Cup qualification playoffs—that includes many Al Hilal gamers.
The membership known as on SAFF to discover different options that may permit the event to proceed as deliberate in Hong Kong with out its participation, and make sure the occasion achieves its supposed advertising and marketing and promotional goals.
Al Hilal pressured that its choice stems from a must protect participant well being following an intensive season representing the Kingdom on the worldwide stage.
SAFF confirmed receipt of Al Hilal’s choice and said that it’s going to provoke the required procedures underneath the related laws.
The federation added that the matter might be reviewed by the competent committees in accordance with the organizational guidelines of the Saudi Tremendous Cup.
Sources mentioned that the federation is now contemplating inviting Al Ahli to exchange Al Hilal, pending affirmation of the membership’s readiness. A last choice is predicted quickly.
SAFF additionally dismissed the thought of granting Al Qadsiah automated passage to the ultimate, citing Article 8 of the Tremendous Cup laws, which treats post-draw withdrawals as violations. Such instances are referred to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, with fines of as much as SR500,000 and compensation for damages doubtlessly imposed.
