Omani clubs prepare for upcoming external competitions

Muscat, JUN 1
Omani football will have a strong external presence in the 2026-2027 season, with Seeb Club and Al Nahda Club set to compete in the AFC Champions League Two, while Al Shabab Club will represent the Sultanate of Oman in the Gulf Club Champions League.
The three clubs enter their upcoming campaigns with different levels of experience and ambition. Seeb return to the Asian stage as the most successful Omani club in continental competitions, Al Nahda carry strong memories from previous AFC Cup campaigns, while Al Shabab approach their Gulf challenge after a notable run in the AFC Challenge League.
Seeb will once again be under the spotlight in the AFC Champions League Two. The club remain the only Omani side to have won a major Asian club title, after lifting the AFC Cup in 2022 with a historic 3-0 victory over Kuala Lumpur City of Malaysia in the final. That achievement remains one of the biggest milestones in Omani club football.
Their latest external participation came in the AFC Challenge League 2025-2026. Seeb opened their group campaign with a 3-2 win over Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, then drew 1-1 with Kuwait SC before losing 2-1 to Lebanon’s Al Ansar in their final group match, a result that ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Despite the early exit, their previous continental success gives them strong motivation to make a deeper run next season.
Al Nahda will also return to Asia through the AFC Champions League Two, bringing with them valuable experience in regional and continental competitions. The Buraimi-based side previously reached the AFC Cup semifinals in 2008 and later advanced to the West Zone final in the 2023-2024 edition, before bowing out against Lebanon’s Al Ahed.
Their return comes after winning His Majesty’s Cup in the 2025-2026 season, following a 2-0 victory over Oman Club in the final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. That triumph adds further confidence to a side looking to translate domestic success into a strong Asian campaign.
Meanwhile, Al Shabab will compete in the Gulf Club Champions League after gaining important experience in the AFC Challenge League 2025-2026. The club delivered one of the most encouraging Omani performances in the competition, reaching the quarterfinals after topping their group.
Al Shabab began their campaign with a 2-1 win over FC Abdysh-Ata of Kyrgyz Republic before defeating Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr 3-1 to secure qualification to the knockout stage. Their journey ended in the quarterfinals with a 5-3 defeat against Kuwait SC in Bishkek, but the campaign gave the club valuable continental exposure ahead of their Gulf assignment.
The 2026-2027 season will therefore offer an important test for Omani clubs abroad. Seeb will look to revive their continental pedigree, Al Nahda will aim to build on their cup success and Asian experience, while Al Shabab will seek to carry their recent AFC Challenge League momentum into the Gulf Club Champions League.
For Omani football, these three participations represent a valuable opportunity to strengthen the country’s presence in regional and continental competitions and reflect the growing competitiveness of local clubs