Financial Tribune - Iran’s soccer team Esteghlal and Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia will meet in Kuwait’s Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on February 20, 2018.
The two teams will hold the first game in Group D in the Asian Football Champions League, Varzesh3.com reported.
After political tensions flared up between the two countries and at the request of the Arab kingdom, the AFC decided that matches between the Iranian and Saudi teams will be held on neutral territory. Iran and Saudi Arabia do not have diplomatic relations since January 2016.
After lifting a ban on the Kuwait Football Association earlier this month, Kuwait was seen as a possible host by the Saudis.
Kuwait Football Association was suspended in October 2015 for violating FIFA regulations.
The suspension was lifted on December 6, following the Kuwaiti Parliament’s announcement regarding adoption of new sports law and amendments that would be fully compliant with FIFA rules and requirements.
The Saudi side is currently checking the stadium for required standards to host the game. Jaber al-Ahmad International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Ardhiyah area of Kuwait City. Completed in 2009, it is used mostly for football matches and athletics. The stadium has a capacity for 60,000 spectators.
Esteghlal is one of the popular professional football clubs founded in 1945. The team won the AFC Champions League twice in 1970 and 1990.
