Saudi side Al-Ahli will take on Japan’s Machida Zelvia this Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 16:15 GMT in the final of the AFC Elite Champions League.
This is another golden opportunity for Riyad Mahrez to add a new line to his trophy cabinet by winning this continental final for the second year in a row.
This will be the third final for the Algerian international in Al-Ahli Saudi colors, after the Saudi Super Cup final—won against Al-Nassr on penalties—and the Asian Champions League final, which he claimed against Kawasaki Frontale (2-0).
Official: FIFA unveils its new rankings after AFCON 2025
Riyad Mahrez has also played in several finals with Manchester City, including the 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, where he was on the bench, unlike the 2021 final lost to Chelsea (1-0), in which he started.
In 2021, Mahrez took part in the English League Cup final, won by Manchester City against Tottenham, as well as the 2019 FA Cup final, won against Watford. He remained on the bench for the 2023 FA Cup final (victory against Manchester United 2-1) and the 2020 EFL Cup final against Aston Villa (1-2).
He also featured in four Community Shield finals: victory in 2018 against Chelsea, defeat in 2016 against Manchester United, then in 2021 and 2022 against Leicester City and Liverpool, respectively.
However, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final remains the most significant of his career, won with Algeria against Senegal (1-0).
Riyad Mahrez changed his profile picture on Instagram just before the AFC Elite final 💚
This Saturday at 18:15, Al Ahli will try to win the Asian Champions League for the second consecutive time!
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JFuH4MEzO6
— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) April 22, 2026
Piala Dunia 2026
Piala Dunia FIFA 2026 akan menjadi edisi paling revolusioner dalam sejarah sepak bola dunia. Turnamen ini untuk pertama kalinya akan diselenggarakan di tiga negara sekaligus, yaitu Amerika Serikat, Kanada, dan Meksiko. Selain itu, jumlah peserta juga meningkat dari 32 menjadi 48 tim, membuka peluang lebih besar bagi negara-negara dari berbagai konfederasi untuk tampil di panggung global. Format baru ini akan menghadirkan lebih banyak pertandingan, atmosfer kompetisi yang lebih luas, serta jangkauan penonton yang semakin besar di seluruh dunia.
Dengan skala yang jauh lebih besar, FIFA menargetkan turnamen ini sebagai ajang yang tidak hanya kompetitif tetapi juga spektakuler dari sisi teknologi dan pengalaman penonton. Stadion-stadion modern di berbagai kota tuan rumah telah dipersiapkan untuk menghadirkan pertandingan berkelas dunia, didukung oleh inovasi seperti peningkatan sistem VAR dan pengalaman digital bagi fans. diprediksi akan menjadi tonggak baru dalam evolusi sepak bola internasional, memperkuat popularitas olahraga ini sekaligus menciptakan momen-momen bersejarah yang akan dikenang dalam waktu lama.
