Leading international sports outlets and news agencies are focusing on Ashgabat ahead of the AFC Champions League-2 round of 16 match, Turkmenistan’s official media reported Monday.
On February 11, 2026, Turkmen club Arkadag will face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr at the Olympic City arena. The visiting team is expected to feature global football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and João Félix.
The match is seen as a major international event, highlighting the growing reputation of Turkmen football and Ashgabat’s status as a venue for significant sporting events.
The Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 45,000, is expected to be full. The return leg is scheduled for February 18 in Riyadh.
Ahead of these key AFC Champions League-2 matches, FC Arkadag conducted an active transfer campaign, focusing on strengthening its attacking lineup.