Al Nassr begin the 2026-27 season carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being Saudi Pro League champions, but the opening weeks have brought as much uncertainty as confidence. The most immediate concern is the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who will miss the club's first two league matches after confirming his marriage to Georgina Rodriguez. For a side that finished last season two points clear of Al Hilal, losing their talisman at the start is a setback new head coach Ange Postecoglou could have done without.

The transfer window has added further complexity. Al Nassr completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Real Mallorca, but reports indicate the deal effectively exhausted the club's available budget, with unofficial figures placing the club's debts at around 800 million Saudi riyals. The Saudi Pro League held a press conference to clarify the financial regulations that permitted the signing despite those obligations. More business is reportedly planned, with up to six further signings targeted, though the financial picture makes that ambitious.

The goalkeeper situation has become one of the window's most drawn-out subplots. Al Nassr missed out on Mohamed Al-Owais, who returned to Al Hilal, and are now navigating uncertainty around Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who has attracted interest from Al Shabab. Raghad Al-Najjar has agreed a contract renewal, and the club is exploring a move for AC Milan and France international Mike Maignan as a potential solution. The new season opens at home to Al Fateh on August 15, with the King's Cup campaign beginning against Al-Diriyah three days later.