FIFA Intercontinental Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns win African-Asian-Pacific Cup to progress
Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday captured the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup crown after triumphing 2-1 at home to Al Ahli in Pretoria, South Africa.
The CAF champions prevailed at Loftus Versfeld Stadium to secure the first trophy of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 campaign and book their place in the competition’s final stages.
The hosts advanced to the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 following a hard-fought victory over Al Ahli in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup 2026 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Nuno Santos was the hero for the CAF champions, scoring a header in each half to send Sundowns through to the FIFA Challenger Cup 2026 and move them to within one victory of a final against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Roared on by a capacity home crowd, Sundowns took an early lead through Santos before Feras Al Brikan swiftly levelled for Al Ahli, his effort deflecting off goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and crossing the line. Both sides continued to create chances in a closely contested encounter, but Santos ultimately settled the tie in the second half, steering home another header to secure victory for the hosts.
The result brings Al Ahli’s campaign to an end following their 1-0 success against Auckland FC in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Play-Off.
Sundowns entered the competition as CAF Champions League victors and, following their triumph on home soil, will now contest the FIFA Challenger Cup.
The South Africans’ opponents will be whoever comes out on top in the FIFA Derby of the Americas, which will pit Concacaf Champions Cup holders Toluca against the team who taste 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores glory. The South American champions will be crowned in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Saturday, 28 November.
The winners of the FIFA Challenger Cup will advance to face UEFA Champions League titlists Paris Saint-Germain, who lifted the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Trophy last December, in this year’s grand final.
The final three matches of the competition will be played in one host country, which will be confirmed in due course.
