Auckland FC take on Saudi heavyweights in FIFA Intercontinental Cup

By Logan Smith

Auckland FC are set for one of the biggest matches in their short history, meeting Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Ahli in a keenly anticipated FIFA Intercontinental Cup fixture on Thursday morning (NZ time). 

The Kiwi side qualified through winning the OFC Pro League with their reserve team, which made them champions of the Oceania confederation, but will bring their first-team squad – the one which won last season’s A-League.

Al-Ahli won the AFC Champions League Elite for the second year in a row, qualifying them to have another shot at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The competition brings together the club champions of FIFA’s six confederations in a knockout format, with UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain lying in wait for the team who can successfully navigate the earlier rounds.

FIFA underwrites the cost of travel and hotels for all teams. Even if Auckland lose to Al-Ahli, they will return home with close to $2 million.

If they make it to the next round and are eliminated, they receive more than $2.5 million in prize money.

Win it all, and more than $8.5 million will go into the club’s bank account.

It all begins at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah this week, where Al-Ahli will be widely expected to win.

However, the Black Knights will believe in a historic upset if they can hold their nerve, be clinical in front of goal and shut down Al-Ahli’s key players.

The winner will face Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa for the third edition of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, and advance to the semifinals of the Intercontinental Cup.

So, what should we expect from the teams?

Auckland FC

The head coach

Portuguese head coach Pedro Moreira has been in charge for less than a month but will relish the chance to take on such a strong opponent in his first competitive match.

Moreira has coached against Saudi Arabian opposition before as coach of Pakhator FC (Uzbekistan Super League) in the AFC Champions League Elite, beating Al-Hilal 1-0 before bowing out with a heavy defeat in the away leg.

He’s emphasised the strength of Al-Ahli’s attack and indicated his team will be prepared for the hosts to have a lot of possession.

The squad

It’s been more outs than ins for Auckland FC, with Guillermo May and Louis Verstrate departing and the club yet to utilise the vacant visa spots to replace them. Additionally, defender Dan Hall and winger Jesse Randall have moved overseas.

While stocks have been boosted by the arrivals of Lachlan Bayliss, Aaron Calver and Aaron Cartwright from across the Tasman, in addition to a few promotions from Auckland’s OFC Pro League team, the squad still looks to be missing a few pieces that should be completed come A-League kickoff.

Since playing Tottenham Hotspur last month, their only other preparation has been friendlies against East Coast Bays and Eastern Suburbs.

Goalkeepers
1. Michael Woud
30. Joseph Knowles
50. Eli Jones

Defenders
2. Hiroki Sakai (captain)
4. Nando Pijnaker
15. Francis de Vries
17. Calan Elliott
23. Ronan Wynne
25. Luka Vicelich
28. Aaron Calver

Midfielders
7. Cam Howieson
8. Felipe Gallegos
10. Lachlan Bayliss
16. Daniel Normann
18. Marley Leuluai
21. Isa Prins
24. Aaron Cartwright
57. Van Fitzharris

Forwards
9. Sam Cosgrove
27. Logan Rogerson
35. Jonty Bidois
77. Lachlan Brook

Players to watch

Much has been made of the rapid ascent by young attacking midfielder/forward Isa Prins, who showed his talents for Wellington Olympic in the Dettol National League and has featured regularly in the OFC Pro League. He might have another chance to put his name up in lights here.

Captain Hiroki Sakai will have a massive role to play in a team mostly untested at this level and will be recognised by many a neutral from overseas following 12 seasons with Japan, Hannover 96, Marseille and Urawa Red Diamonds.

Not only has midfielder Cam Howieson played in three FIFA Club World Cups for Auckland City, he’s already played at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium against Saudi opposition, when Auckland City lost 3-0 to Al-Ittihad in 2023. His experience will be an attribute his teammates can lean on.

Al-Ahli

The manager

Dutch-Bosnian manager Marino Pušić is also a recent arrival in the hot seat at Al-Ahli, taking the job after Matthias Jassie moved to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Formerly of Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Twente, he’ll be excited to lead a club with loose purse strings, although he will have felt the pressure to win silverware and satisfy Al-Ahli’s fanbase from day one.

It’s been so far so good for Pušić, with three wins from three games so far, and the expectation is to make that four from four.

The squad

Although they haven’t targeted the highest-profile players in the world like some of their domestic rivals, Al-Ahli still boast a squad packed with quality and experience from top leagues.

Nine featured in the recent FIFA World Cup for seven different national teams, including Brazil, England and Portugal. Some of the most recognisable names include England and former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, Türkiye international Merih Demiral, Roger Ibañez, Matheus Gonçalves and Francisco Trinçao.

With a consistent side from last season, most of their recruitment has involved bringing in domestic players from their league rivals.

In total, their squad is valued at $NZ390 million, a contrast to Auckland FC’s estimated total value of $NZ16 million.

Players to watch

Centre-forward Toney stands out as the player most likely to hurt Auckland. After a well-deserved break following the FIFA World Cup, he’s come back firing for Al-Ahli, hammering in a hat-trick against Abha Club last weekend.

Centre back duo Demiral and Ibañez have played every minute so far this season, and it’s been an excellent partnership, conceding only once in three games. Even if they hold out against Al-Ahli’s attack, it’s going to be a challenge for the Kiwis to get in behind these two.

While striker Firas Al-Buraikan typically plays off the bench for Al-Ahli, he’s become a key player for the Saudi national team and played all three group games at the World Cup. He could prove a major threat to Auckland’s tiring legs if he comes on from the bench, but might get the nod to start.

How to watch

The match will be streamed live and free on the DAZN platform:

Fixture

Game to be played on Thursday August 27, 2026 (NZT)

Al-Ahli v Auckland FC
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 6am (NZT)

Logan Smith

Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, who has followed regional football from Nelson, Dunedin and Wellington.

This story was first published on August 26, 2026.

More football stories