Saudi clubs have equaled their South Korean counterparts at the top of the list of most titles won in the Elite AFC Champions League, following Al-Ahli’s success in winning the continental title once again.
Al-Ahli secured the title after defeating Japanese side Machida Zelvia 1-0 in the final held on Saturday, confirming their continued continental dominance.
Al-Ahli retained the title they first won in May 2025, after defeating Kawasaki Frontale at that time, adding a new championship to their Asian record.
With this achievement, the tally of Saudi clubs rose to six titles, surpassing their Japanese counterparts, whose tally remained at five titles, while they currently share the lead with South Korean clubs with six titles each.
The six Saudi titles were achieved by three clubs: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Hilal, with two titles for each team.
It is worth noting that the tournament started in 2003, before entering the “Elite” stage starting from the 2024-2025 edition.
Elite AFC Champions League
The Elite AFC Champions League is the top-tier annual club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), featuring the best teams from across Asia. It was originally launched in 1967 as the Asian Club Championship, but underwent a major rebranding and restructuring in 2002 to become the AFC Champions League. The tournament has since grown in prestige, with its winners earning a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Machida Zelvia
Machida Zelvia is a professional football club based in Machida, Tokyo, Japan, currently competing in the J1 League. Founded in 1977 as a local youth club, it turned professional in 1999 and gradually rose through the Japanese football pyramid. The club achieved historic promotion to the top division for the first time in 2023, marking a major milestone in its nearly five-decade history.
Kawasaki Frontale
Kawasaki Frontale is a professional football club based in Kawasaki, Japan, competing in the J1 League. Founded in 1955 as Fujitsu Football Club, it was later renamed and became a fully professional team in 1999. The club has since become one of Japan’s most successful teams, winning multiple J1 League titles in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Elite AFC Champions League
The Elite AFC Champions League is Asia’s premier club football competition, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) since its inception in 2002. It replaced the previous Asian Club Championship, expanding the tournament to include top clubs from across the continent. The competition has grown in prestige and prize money, with clubs from countries like South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China often dominating the title.
Asian Club Championship
The Asian Club Championship was Asia’s premier football club competition, first held in 1967. It was organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and featured top clubs from across the continent competing for the title. In 2002, the tournament was restructured and rebranded as the AFC Champions League, which continues to be the region’s most prestigious club competition.
Elite AFC Champions League
The Elite AFC Champions League is a prestigious annual football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), featuring top club teams from across Asia. Originally launched in 1967 as the Asian Club Championship, it was rebranded as the AFC Champions League in 2002 and later restructured into the “Elite” tier to enhance competitiveness and quality. The tournament showcases Asia’s best clubs, culminating in a final that determines the continent’s champion.
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men’s football competition organized by FIFA, featuring the champion clubs from each of the six continental confederations. First held in 2000 as the FIFA Club World Championship, it was revamped in 2005 and has since been hosted annually, with European and South American clubs dominating the titles. Real Madrid holds the record for the most wins, with the tournament serving as a global showcase for club football excellence.
Machida Zelvia
Machida Zelvia is a professional football club based in Machida, Tokyo, Japan, currently competing in the J1 League. Founded in 1989 as a youth team, the club turned professional in 2012 and steadily climbed the ranks of Japanese football. Their historic promotion to the top division in 2023 marked a significant achievement for the club, which has since established itself in the J1 League.
Kawasaki Frontale
Kawasaki Frontale is a professional football club based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The club was founded in 1955 as Fujitsu Football Club and later became a fully professional J.League team in 1999. Since then, Frontale has become one of Japan’s most successful clubs, winning multiple J1 League titles and establishing a reputation for attacking, high-pressing football.
J1 League
The J1 League is Japan’s top professional football division, established in 1992 as part of the country’s push to create a fully professional soccer league. It replaced the semi-professional Japan Soccer League and has since grown into one of Asia’s most competitive leagues, featuring clubs like Kashima Antlers and Yokohama F. Marinos. The league has significantly boosted football’s popularity in Japan, contributing to the success of the national team and the hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Asian Club Championship
The Asian Club Championship was the original name of the top-tier annual football competition for clubs in Asia, first organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1967. It was rebranded as the AFC Champions League in 2002 after a restructuring that merged the championship with the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup. This tournament has historically served as the premier club competition in Asian football, with Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv winning the inaugural edition.
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is Asia’s premier club football competition, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and first held in 1967 under the name Asian Club Championship. It was rebranded to its current format in 2002, merging the previous Asian Club Championship, Asian Cup Winners’ Cup, and Asian Super Cup into a single elite tournament. The league features top clubs from across Asia competing annually, with South Korean and Japanese teams historically among the most successful.
