Donis takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Donis takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Georgios Donis has been appointed as the new head coach of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced.

The Greek takes over from Frenchman Herve Renard, with Saudi Arabia to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Uruguay on June 15.

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

Fri, 24 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.

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.