Al Ittihad have started the 2026-27 season with a statement, beating UAE side Al-Jazira 4-1 in Abu Dhabi to secure their place in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. The result matters beyond the scoreline. After finishing fifth in the Saudi Pro League last season under Sergio Conceicao, the club was forced into qualification, and booking a spot among Asia's elite clubs was the minimum required to signal that the rebuild under new head coach Jens Weisinger is moving in the right direction.

Weisinger, 38, arrives with limited top-flight experience but a credible track record, having led Gamba Osaka to the AFC Champions League 2 title. Goals from Steven Bergwijn, who scored twice, Hossam Awwar and Marwan Al-Sahafi gave the win a convincing look, even if the absence of several key players meant the performance came with caveats. A controversial refereeing decision sparked tensions during the match, as Goal reported, underlining that the squad still has edges to smooth out.

Off the pitch, squad uncertainty continues. Coach Weisinger has reportedly decided that one first-team player falls outside his plans, according to Goal's coverage, with Al Ahli now linked with a move. The future of striker George Ilenikhena also remains unresolved, with his agent publicly discussing the player's position at the club, as Goal noted.

Attention now turns to Saturday's Saudi Pro League opener at home against Al Kholood, confirmed by structured data. Three points at King Abdullah Sports City would give Weisinger's side early momentum as they look to close the gap on the league's top clubs.