AFC Announced Champions League Team of the Round
The Asian Football Confederation selected top performers from the inaugural matchday of the new Champions League Elite.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Soccer
The Asian Football Confederation has revealed its team of the first matchday for the AFC Champions League Elite. Standout players from Al Ain and Al Hilal secured spots following dominant performances in their opening fixtures.
Why it matters
The team of the round highlights the high-impact players who defined the competitive start of the AFC Champions League Elite. These selections recognize individual excellence as teams begin their quest for the continental title.
Al Ain earned a 4-0 victory against Al Nassr, while Al Hilal secured a 2-1 win over Al Gharafa. Hussein Rahimi netted two goals in his match, complemented by Ruben Neves, who scored a penalty for his side.
The players
Asian Football Confederation
This is the governing body for association football in Asia and the organizer of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Ain
Based in the UAE, this club is a prominent team in the AFC Champions League and recently secured a 4-0 victory.
Al Hilal
This Saudi Arabian club competes at the highest level of continental football and triumphed 2-1 in their opener.
Ruben Neves
He is a professional footballer for Al Hilal who successfully converted a penalty during the first matchday.
Hussein Rahimi
He is an Al Ain player who scored two goals during his team's 4-0 victory over Al Nassr.
The details
The Asian Football Confederation curated the team based on individual statistics and contributions recorded during the opening week of the league phase. Al Ain players Hussein Rahimi, Rami Rabia, and Giacomakis were recognized for their roles in the 4-0 win, alongside Ruben Neves for his decisive scoring performance.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: The Asian Football Confederation announced the team of the round.
Season Trajectory
This inaugural matchday establishes the early pecking order for the AFC Champions League Elite as teams vie for position in the new league phase. Strong performances from clubs like Al Ain and Al Hilal immediately set the benchmark for the rest of the competition.
Al Ain currently holds three points in the standings following their opening win. These individual performance honors provide fantasy managers and analysts with concrete indicators of which players are currently in top form for their respective squads.
The takeaway
The team of the round showcases the high-caliber talent currently defining the Asian continental season. Tracking these top performers offers a reliable way to gauge which clubs possess the momentum necessary to advance deep into the tournament bracket.
Further reading
For more information on current tournament standings, visit the Soccer section.
