Published on 4/25/2026
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Last update: 23:22 (Mecca time)
Al-Ahly Saudi Arabia was crowned champion of the AFC Champions League for the second time in a row after a 1-0 victory over Machida of Japan in the final match, today, Saturday.
Substitute Firas Al-Braikan scored the only goal in the 96th minute after resorting to two extra halves in the match that was held at Al-Enmaa Stadium in Jeddah, so Al-Ahly won the title amidst its fans in the Saudi city.
The Saudi team lifted the continental title for the second time at the expense of a Japanese team, after winning the title in 2025 by defeating Kawasaki Frontale with a score of 2-0 in the final.
Al-Ahly won the title this time despite the numerical deficiency in its ranks after its defender Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off in the 68th minute with a direct red card for an assault without the ball.
New date
Al-Ahly set a new history by occupying the throne of the Yellow Continent for the second year in a row, becoming the only “monopolist” of the AFC Champions League for the elite, which has not known any other champion since its launch with its new system last year.
Al-Ahly became the first club on the continent to win the “Elite” title twice in a row, and it also became the third Saudi team to succeed in reaching the continental final in two consecutive editions, following in the footsteps of Al-Ittihad, which qualified for the 2004 and 2005 finals, and Al-Hilal, which reached the 2021 and 2022 finals.
Al-Ahly was able to equal the achievement of its neighbor Al-Ittihad by being the Saudi team that achieved the title in two consecutive years, 2004 and 2005, overcoming the stumble of Al-Hilal, which achieved the 2021 title but failed to maintain it in the 2022 edition, so Al-Ahly now carries on its shoulders the banner of the success of the Saudi sports project in international forums.
Record of title winners since 1985
2025-2026 Al-Ahly (Saudi Arabia)
2024-2025 Al-Ahly (Saudi Arabia)
2023-2024 Al Ain (UAE)
2022 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
2021 Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
2020 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
2019 Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
2018 Kashima Antlers (Japan)
2017 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
2016 Jeonbuk Motors Hyundai (South Korea)
2015 Guangzhou Evergrande Conquest (China)
2014 Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia)
2013 Guangzhou Evergrande Conquest (China)
2012 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
2011 Al Sadd (Qatar)
2010 Seongnam (South Korea)
2009 Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
2008 Gamba Osaka (Japan)
2007 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
2006 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
2005 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
2004 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
2003 Al Ain (UAE)
2002 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea)
2001 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea)
2000 Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
1999 Jubilo Iwata (Japan)
1998 Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
1997 Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
1996 Seongnam (South Korea)
1995 Thai Farmers (Thailand)
1994 Thai Farmers (Thailand)
1993 Pass (Iran)
1992 Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
1991 Independence (Iran)
1990 Liao Ning (China)
1989 Al Sadd (Qatar)
1988 Tokyo Verdy (Japan)
1987 Yomiuri (Japan)
1986 Furukawa Electric (Japan)
1985 Daewoo Royals (South Korea)
The tournament was not held between 1972-1984.
