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Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Jeddah: Franck Kessie was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after helping Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title with a 1-0 extra time win against FC Machida Zelvia in the final on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international carried his impressive form into the final, commanding the midfield with authority and had Al Ahli in total control throughout the match.

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Jeddah: Rafael Mujica secured the Top Scorer award of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after netting eight goals for Qatar’s Al Sadd SC.

The Spaniard’s goals played a major part in Al Sadd reaching the quarter-finals.

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Jeddah: Kosei Tani was named the Best Goalkeeper of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after a sterling campaign where he played a pivotal role in FC Machida Zelvia reaching the final.

Despite Saturday’s 1-0 extra time defeat in the final to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC, Tani’s contributions and performance did not go unnoticed in the Japan side’s debut continental outing.

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Jeddah: Substitute Feras Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time to earn 10-man Al Ahli Saudi FC a 1-0 win over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday as the Saudi Pro League side retained their title at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Al Brikan hit the winner from close range after Matthias Jaissle’s side had seen Zakaria Hawsawi sent off in the 68th minute and the title holders were forced to battle on against the Japanese side.

Victory means Al Ahli are the first team to retain the title since cross-Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad Club won the second of their two AFC Champions League crowns in 2005 by defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/final-al-ahli-saudi-fc-ksa-v-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Committee convened for its second meeting on Friday afternoon as it reaffirmed the Confederation’s continued commitment to strengthening the foundations of Asian professional club football.

Held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and led by Chairperson Park Ji-sung, the Committee approved amendments to the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2025) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2024), and also agreed to adopt the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2026) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2026), which are aimed at elevating the professional standards across the Continent.

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia will go into Saturday’s decider in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ with head coaches Matthias Jaissle and Go Kuroda revealing no major injury concerns ahead of their critical clash.

The meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium is expected to be a sell-out as Al Ahli Saudi attempt to retain the title they won at the same venue last year while Machida seek to complete a fairy tale run to lift the trophy in their first appearance in the competition.

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Jeddah: Shota Fujio has full confidence that FC Machida Zelvia have what it takes to go all the way in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final on Saturday.

The tournament debutants are on a fairytale run but standing in their way are defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC but Fujio is unconcerned, saying the Japanese side’s clean sheets in the knockout stage against Gangwon FC, Al Ittihad Club and Shabab Al Ahli has given them belief.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-final

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Jeddah: A trophy-laden career has not quelled Riyad Mahrez’s desire for more as he looks to help Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title in Saturday’s AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final against FC Machida Zelvia.

Success has followed the Algerian at every stage of his career - lifting trophy after trophy with Leicester City, Manchester City, the Algerian national team and with Al Ahli Saudi but Mahrez said he wants more. 

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: The climax of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ is upon us with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia of Japan to square off in the final on Saturday. 

Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown between the defending champions and tournament debutants at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the two title contenders stack up.  

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Jeddah: Ilgiz Tantashev will be the man in the middle on Saturday evening when Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia meet in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26™ Final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

This will be the second time that the Uzbek referee has been tasked to oversee the finale of the Continent’s elite men’s club tournament, having taken charge of the second leg between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition. It will be his eighth match assignment of this edition, having refereed one Quarter-final, one Round of 16 and five League Stage fixtures.

Videos

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Jeddah: Franck Kessie was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after helping Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title with a 1-0 extra time win against FC Machida Zelvia in the final on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international carried his impressive form into the final, commanding the midfield with authority and had Al Ahli in total control throughout the match.

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Jeddah: Rafael Mujica secured the Top Scorer award of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after netting eight goals for Qatar’s Al Sadd SC.

The Spaniard’s goals played a major part in Al Sadd reaching the quarter-finals.

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Jeddah: Kosei Tani was named the Best Goalkeeper of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after a sterling campaign where he played a pivotal role in FC Machida Zelvia reaching the final.

Despite Saturday’s 1-0 extra time defeat in the final to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC, Tani’s contributions and performance did not go unnoticed in the Japan side’s debut continental outing.

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Jeddah: Substitute Feras Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time to earn 10-man Al Ahli Saudi FC a 1-0 win over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday as the Saudi Pro League side retained their title at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Al Brikan hit the winner from close range after Matthias Jaissle’s side had seen Zakaria Hawsawi sent off in the 68th minute and the title holders were forced to battle on against the Japanese side.

Victory means Al Ahli are the first team to retain the title since cross-Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad Club won the second of their two AFC Champions League crowns in 2005 by defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/final-al-ahli-saudi-fc-ksa-v-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Committee convened for its second meeting on Friday afternoon as it reaffirmed the Confederation’s continued commitment to strengthening the foundations of Asian professional club football.

Held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and led by Chairperson Park Ji-sung, the Committee approved amendments to the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2025) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2024), and also agreed to adopt the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2026) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2026), which are aimed at elevating the professional standards across the Continent.

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia will go into Saturday’s decider in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ with head coaches Matthias Jaissle and Go Kuroda revealing no major injury concerns ahead of their critical clash.

The meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium is expected to be a sell-out as Al Ahli Saudi attempt to retain the title they won at the same venue last year while Machida seek to complete a fairy tale run to lift the trophy in their first appearance in the competition.

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Jeddah: Shota Fujio has full confidence that FC Machida Zelvia have what it takes to go all the way in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final on Saturday.

The tournament debutants are on a fairytale run but standing in their way are defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC but Fujio is unconcerned, saying the Japanese side’s clean sheets in the knockout stage against Gangwon FC, Al Ittihad Club and Shabab Al Ahli has given them belief.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-final

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Jeddah: A trophy-laden career has not quelled Riyad Mahrez’s desire for more as he looks to help Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title in Saturday’s AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final against FC Machida Zelvia.

Success has followed the Algerian at every stage of his career - lifting trophy after trophy with Leicester City, Manchester City, the Algerian national team and with Al Ahli Saudi but Mahrez said he wants more. 

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: The climax of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ is upon us with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia of Japan to square off in the final on Saturday. 

Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown between the defending champions and tournament debutants at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the two title contenders stack up.  

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Jeddah: Ilgiz Tantashev will be the man in the middle on Saturday evening when Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia meet in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26™ Final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

This will be the second time that the Uzbek referee has been tasked to oversee the finale of the Continent’s elite men’s club tournament, having taken charge of the second leg between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition. It will be his eighth match assignment of this edition, having refereed one Quarter-final, one Round of 16 and five League Stage fixtures.

Photos

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Jeddah: Franck Kessie was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after helping Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title with a 1-0 extra time win against FC Machida Zelvia in the final on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international carried his impressive form into the final, commanding the midfield with authority and had Al Ahli in total control throughout the match.

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Sadd’s Mujica wins Top Goalscorer

Jeddah: Rafael Mujica secured the Top Scorer award of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after netting eight goals for Qatar’s Al Sadd SC.

The Spaniard’s goals played a major part in Al Sadd reaching the quarter-finals.

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Machida’s Tani earns Best Goalkeeper honour

Jeddah: Kosei Tani was named the Best Goalkeeper of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after a sterling campaign where he played a pivotal role in FC Machida Zelvia reaching the final.

Despite Saturday’s 1-0 extra time defeat in the final to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC, Tani’s contributions and performance did not go unnoticed in the Japan side’s debut continental outing.

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Jeddah: Substitute Feras Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time to earn 10-man Al Ahli Saudi FC a 1-0 win over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday as the Saudi Pro League side retained their title at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Al Brikan hit the winner from close range after Matthias Jaissle’s side had seen Zakaria Hawsawi sent off in the 68th minute and the title holders were forced to battle on against the Japanese side.

Victory means Al Ahli are the first team to retain the title since cross-Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad Club won the second of their two AFC Champions League crowns in 2005 by defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/final-al-ahli-saudi-fc-ksa-v-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Committee convened for its second meeting on Friday afternoon as it reaffirmed the Confederation’s continued commitment to strengthening the foundations of Asian professional club football.

Held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and led by Chairperson Park Ji-sung, the Committee approved amendments to the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2025) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2024), and also agreed to adopt the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2026) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2026), which are aimed at elevating the professional standards across the Continent.

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia will go into Saturday’s decider in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ with head coaches Matthias Jaissle and Go Kuroda revealing no major injury concerns ahead of their critical clash.

The meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium is expected to be a sell-out as Al Ahli Saudi attempt to retain the title they won at the same venue last year while Machida seek to complete a fairy tale run to lift the trophy in their first appearance in the competition.

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Fujio confident success awaits Machida

Jeddah: Shota Fujio has full confidence that FC Machida Zelvia have what it takes to go all the way in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final on Saturday.

The tournament debutants are on a fairytale run but standing in their way are defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC but Fujio is unconcerned, saying the Japanese side’s clean sheets in the knockout stage against Gangwon FC, Al Ittihad Club and Shabab Al Ahli has given them belief.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-final

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Mahrez’s hunger for glory remains undiminished

Jeddah: A trophy-laden career has not quelled Riyad Mahrez’s desire for more as he looks to help Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title in Saturday’s AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ final against FC Machida Zelvia.

Success has followed the Algerian at every stage of his career - lifting trophy after trophy with Leicester City, Manchester City, the Algerian national team and with Al Ahli Saudi but Mahrez said he wants more. 

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Final - How they stack up: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: The climax of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ is upon us with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia of Japan to square off in the final on Saturday. 

Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown between the defending champions and tournament debutants at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the two title contenders stack up.  

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Jeddah: Ilgiz Tantashev will be the man in the middle on Saturday evening when Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia meet in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26™ Final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

This will be the second time that the Uzbek referee has been tasked to oversee the finale of the Continent’s elite men’s club tournament, having taken charge of the second leg between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition. It will be his eighth match assignment of this edition, having refereed one Quarter-final, one Round of 16 and five League Stage fixtures.