Al‑Ahli Saudi, winners of the AFC Champions League Elite, could be heading to South Africa for the 2026 Intercontinental Cup—provided they overcome Auckland City of New Zealand.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned 2026 CAF Champions League winners after drawing 1–1 with Morocco’s AS FAR in the second leg of the final held Sunday evening in Rabat, benefiting from their 1–0 victory in the first leg.
Al‑Ahli will host Auckland City, the Oceania champions, at Al‑Inmaa Stadium in Jeddah this coming August. Should Al‑Ahli win, they will travel to South Africa on a date to be announced to face Sundowns in the Tri‑Continental Cup (Asia – Africa – Oceania).
FIFA is expected to announce full details of the Intercontinental Cup soon, including the official match schedule.
The winner of the Tri‑Continental Cup will then face the champion of the Americas — the winner of Copa América versus the CONCACAF champion — in the Challenge Cup, with the victor advancing to the final to meet the European champion. Paris Saint‑Germain and Arsenal are currently competing for the European title.
Al‑Ahli will be aiming to make amends after losing last year’s Tri‑Continental Cup to Egypt’s Pyramids.
