#ACLElite - Facts & Figures

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

#ACLElite - Facts & Figures

Jeddah: The curtain came down on the AFC Champions League Finals Jeddah 2026™ with Al Ahli Saudi FC defeating FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 in a pulsating final.

It was a decider that had it all and the-AFC.com highlights several facts and figures that caught the eye from a tournament that more than lived up to expectation.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-final-al-ahli-saudi-fc-ksa-1-0-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3170283

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3170285

Al Brikan delighted with contribution

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Brikan delighted with contribution

Jeddah: When Al Ahli Saudi FC needed a hero in the final of the AFC Champions League Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Saturday, Feras Al Brikan stepped up to deliver.

With Al Ahli struggling to find a way past FC Machida Zelvia in a keenly-fought contest at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Brikan was summoned into the game to replace Enzo Millot in the 62nd minute.

Reduced to 10 men just six minutes later when Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off, Al Ahli kept their belief with Al Brikan delivering by smashing home Franck Kessie’s cutback in extra time to send the fans into delirium.

Jaissle: Al Ahli Saudi's belief, quality delivered historic title

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Jaissle: Al Ahli Saudi's belief, quality delivered historic title

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle expressed pride after guiding Al Ahli Saudi FC to back-to-back continental titles following their 1-0 win against FC Machida Zelvia in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah™ on Saturday.

Al Ahli joined cross-town rivals Al Ittihad Club as the only sides to have won the trophy in successive seasons, with Jaissle admitting this year’s triumph had been filled with much tougher challenges.

Kuroda: Machida will learn from bitter lesson

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Kuroda: Machida will learn from bitter lesson

Jeddah: Go Kuroda has vowed that FC Machida Zelvia will gain from the heartbreak of losing 1-0 to Al Al Saudi FC in the final of AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Saturday.

After having matched their star-studded opponents stride for stride, the Japanese side eventually succumbed in extra time to Feras Al Brikan’s strike as Al Ahli successfully retained their title.

#WACU17 - Know your teams: Group B

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

#WACU17 - Know your teams: Group B

Suzhou: Japan headline Group B of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, which gets underway on Friday.

Perennial favourites though they may be, Japan will do well to tread with caution against three opponents aiming to make their mark on the continent.

#WACU17 - Know your teams: Group A

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

#WACU17 - Know your teams: Group A

Suzhou: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ starts on Friday with 12 teams vying to lay their hands on the coveted trophy.

Ahead of the tournament which will showcase the next generation of Asian stars kicking off, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the teams - beginning with the Group A cast.