Al Nassr begin the new Saudi Pro League season carrying the weight of expectation as defending champions, yet the mood around the club is far from settled. Reports of a financial crisis have dominated the pre-season build-up, with claims that debts reached 800 million Saudi riyals and some staff and players went unpaid. More recent reports suggest the financial block on transfers has been lifted, offering some relief, but the situation has cast a shadow over preparations under new head coach Ange Postecoglou, who replaced Jorge Jesus after the title-winning 2025/26 campaign.

Postecoglou's pre-season in Portugal has produced mixed results. Al Nassr lost 4-2 to Astria Amadora with ten men and fell 2-1 to a Benfica reserve side, though they did beat Merida 2-0. A friendly against Almeria followed on August 4. The results are not alarming in isolation, but they have sharpened scrutiny on the squad's readiness, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo still absent from training. The Portuguese star has been on an extended break since Portugal's World Cup exit to Spain and is reportedly preparing for his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez. No return date has been confirmed, with the season opener against Al Fateh at Al-Awwal Park scheduled for August 15.

In the transfer market, goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi appears set to leave after rejecting a contract extension, with reports placing his agent in Lisbon to finalise a move. Al Nassr are working to bring in a local replacement. The club also blocked the sale of Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel to a Turkish club. Al Nassr sit first in the standings on 86 points from last season, two ahead of Al Hilal, and defending that position while resolving off-pitch instability is the defining challenge ahead.