Al Ittihad are at a crossroads this season, sitting fourth in the Saudi Pro League with 24 points from 11 games, but a heavy 4-1 defeat to Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite has exposed defensive fragility and raised questions about the squad's depth under German coach Jenz Scheuring. That result leaves the club in an uncomfortable position across two competitions, with form inconsistent enough to rule them out as serious title contenders for now.

Off the pitch, the club faces a significant squad-building challenge. Eight players are approaching the free-agent window in their contracts, meaning they can sign pre-agreements with other clubs from January 2027. Defender Saad Al-Mousa is among those out of contract at the end of the season, and his agent Mishal Al-Safa'i has publicly confirmed that no renewal offer has been made, contradicting reports suggesting talks were underway. With Al-Mousa limited to just five appearances this season after a long injury absence, the club's silence on his future adds to a wider uncertainty around the squad.

There is also noise about the club's ownership future. Multiple consortiums are reportedly competing to acquire Al Ittihad as the Public Investment Fund seeks to reduce its 75 percent stake, though no deal has been confirmed. The next fixture, at home to Pakhtakor Tashkent in the AFC Champions League Elite on November 23, offers an opportunity to stabilise before a congested domestic schedule resumes.