Al Nassr begin their title defence under new head coach Ange Postecoglou with a significant absence already confirmed: Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in the club's first two Saudi Pro League matches of the 2026/27 season, with Saudi reports indicating his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez is the reason. For a side that finished last season two points clear of Al Hilal, losing their captain and top scorer from the very first game is a real setback, and it places immediate pressure on Postecoglou to find solutions without his most important player.

The managerial change itself adds another layer of uncertainty. Jorge Jesus, the architect of Al Nassr's title win after a seven-year drought, has departed, and Postecoglou arrives with the squad still in pre-season. Early signs from a friendly against Almeria raised concerns about the team's defensive shape and overall readiness, and questions about Ronaldo's fitness after an extended break following Portugal's World Cup exit have not gone away.

Off the pitch, reports of financial difficulties continue to circulate, with debts said to have reached 800 million Saudi riyals. The club did complete the signing of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa despite those pressures, though the goalkeeper situation remains unresolved: contract negotiations with Saudi international Nawaf Al-Aqidi have broken down, and a move to Al Fateh is now in doubt. Al Nassr host Al Fateh on August 15 to open the new season, a fixture that carries extra edge given those transfer complications.