African champions Mamelodi Sundowns face another major international test today when they take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup stage of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
The match, scheduled to be played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, brings together the CAF Champions League winners and the AFC Champions League Elite winners, with the victor earning a place in the next stage of the international competition.
Sundowns qualified after winning the 2025/26 African title, defeating Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the final to claim their second continental crown. The victory also earned them the right to represent Africa in this year’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli reached this stage after beginning their campaign against New Zealand’s Auckland FC in a playoff match held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 26.
The Asian champions secured a 1-0 victory through Saleh Abu Al Shamat in the 63rd minute, a result that sent them directly into the Pretoria clash against Sundowns.
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup is an annual competition that brings together the champions of the six football confederations from around the world. The format was introduced in 2024 after FIFA made changes to its global club competition structure. Real Madrid won the inaugural edition that year, while PSG claimed the title in 2025.
