National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the capital’s Olympic Village on Sunday to review preparations at the Olympic Stadium ahead of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against Al-Nassr Club of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to Turkmenistan’s official media.
Berdimuhamedov inspected the 45,000-seat Olympic Stadium—the largest in Central Asia—which will host the key match for the Arkadag team.
He evaluated the condition of the pitch, stands, and other stadium facilities, emphasizing that resolving all current tasks must be a priority. He stressed that no detail should be overlooked, noting that organizing the event carries particular responsibility as it directly affects the country’s sporting prestige.
Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need to create comfortable conditions for spectators, athletes, and coaches, as well as to actively implement modern technologies and global best practices. Officials received guidance on these priorities.
Chairman of the State Committee for Construction of Arkadag under the President of Turkmenistan Deryageldi Orazov reported that the football field is fully prepared for the tournament in accordance with international standards. He said all conditions have been created for high-level competition and athletes’ full preparation.
Berdimuhamedov said a victory for the Arkadag team, which has achieved significant success internationally in recent years, would be an important accomplishment for the country. He added that even in a draw or loss, the match would remain a celebration for the people, welcoming foreign guests and encouraging future achievements. The National Leader expressed confidence that the players would give their best effort and deliver a fair and exciting game.
The match between Arkadag and Al-Nassr is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026, at Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, with kickoff at 6:45 p.m. local time.
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