UEFA are reportedly looking at ways to include Al-Nassr in the 2024/25 Champions League despite them not being a European club.
Why do UEFA want Al-Nassr in the Champions League?
A Saudi Arabian journalist that goes by the username of AlHarbi44 has claimed that the reasoning for UEFA trying to get Al Nassr in the Champions League is because they are considered among the “three most famous clubs in the world” and have “great popularity” among European supporters due to having world class footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte and Sadio Mane in their line-up
Changes are already being made to the Champions League next season anyway with the group stages will being scrapped. Instead 36 teams will be in one big league table.
The top eight of the final table will go through to the round of 16, while those positioned ninth to 24th will enter a playoff to earn the other eight places in the round of 16. Positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from Europe.
What would it do to other European teams?
Having Saudi Pro League clubs in the Champions League could potentially damage other European clubs’ chances of qualifying for the tournament.
UEFA could expand it once again to 40 teams and have a top four qualification for the Saudi Pro League. Or they could start taking spots from other European leagues.
It’s already been announced that from next season, the Premier League will have a ‘top five’ instead of four. These plans could get cancelled if they decide to involve Al-Nassr and other Saudi clubs in the Champions League.
There has been no official word from UEFA on this matter.
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