TEHRAN – The Iranian teams have chosen Dubai as the host for their AFC Champions League matches in the 2025/26 season.

Tractor, Sepahan and Esteghlal have all requested to host their Asian competition games in the United Arab Emirates.

The AFC’s decision to host Iranian teams’ matches against their Asian rivals in a neutral country has been one of the major football news items in recent days. Esteghlal and Sepahan represent Iran in the AFC Champions League Two, while Tractor represent Iran in the AFC Champions League Elite, and all will now travel to the UAE to play their games.

Esteghlal will host Al-Hussein (Jordan), and Tractor will host Al-Saad (Qatar) in the UAE.

Although hosting in Qatar might have been a better option for Sepahan, given that coach Moharram Navidkia’s players will face Qatar’s Al-Ahli in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League, Sepahan have also chosen the UAE as the hosting country.

The first leg of Sepahan against Al-Ahli (Qatar) in the ACL Two Round of 16 will be held on Feb. 11.