Ajman Begins Maiden Gulf Champions League Campaign Against Iraq’s Erbil Today

Ajman Club will begin its first-ever participation in the Gulf Champions League today, Wednesday, when it hosts Iraq’s Erbil at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium in the opening round of Group C in the competition’s third edition for the 2026–2027 season.

The Orange side enters the 8:00 pm encounter aiming to make a positive start to its maiden Gulf appearance and compete for one of the quarter-final berths. The group also includes Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq, Kuwait’s Kazma and Iraq’s Erbil.

Ajman, alongside Al Nasr, represents UAE football in the current edition of the tournament, organised by the Gulf Football Association with the participation of 12 teams—the largest number in the competition’s history, after the previous two editions featured only eight clubs.

The third edition runs from 13 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, featuring 12 clubs divided into three groups of four. The teams will compete in a home-and-away league format.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, joined by the two best third-placed teams. The quarter-final matches will be played on a home-and-away basis.

Group A comprises Saudi Arabia’s Neom, Qatar’s Al Duhail, Oman’s Al Shabab and Yemen’s Shaab Hadramout. Group B includes UAE side Al Nasr, Qatar SC, Iraq’s Al Zawraa and Bahrain’s Al Riffa. Group C brings together Ajman, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq, Iraq’s Erbil and Kuwait’s Kazma.

Ajman enters its first Gulf Champions League fixture following a positive domestic start, having collected nine points from five matches in the ADNOC Pro League, in addition to securing a perfect nine points from its first three preliminary-round fixtures in the ADIB Cup.

The team will seek to build on its domestic results and make a strong start in the Gulf competition, particularly as the tournament format gives the eight best teams in the group stage the opportunity to progress to the knockout rounds.

Ajman Club’s management has called on fans across the UAE to back the team in its first Gulf appearance, offering free tickets for the Erbil match. The Club has also introduced fan initiatives to distribute shirts and supporters’scarves in support of the Orange side at the start of its tournament campaign.