Al-Ahli turn to Toney as Auckland City begin Intercontinental Cup campaign

Al-Ahli Saudi manager Marino Pusic has named Ivan Toney in his starting XI for Wednesday evening’s Intercontinental Cup meeting with Auckland City in Jeddah.

The match will be played at Alinma Stadium, Al-Ahli Saudi’s home ground in the Saudi Arabian city, in the opening round of the competition.

Toney will lead the attack alongside Trincao and Galeno, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy starts behind a defence featuring Mohammed Abdulrahman, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez and Zakaria Hawsawi.

Al-Ahli Saudi’s midfield will be made up of Ziyad Al-Jahni, Eduard Spertsyan and Atangana as Pusic’s side begin their challenge in the 2026 Intercontinental Cup.

The winners of the match will progress to face South African club Mamelodi Sundowns in the next stage. That fixture forms part of the three-continent contest involving the champions of Asia, Africa and Oceania.

Al-Ahli Saudi’s confirmed line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy

Defenders: Mohammed Abdulrahman, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez, Zakaria Hawsawi

Midfielders: Ziyad Al-Jahni, Eduard Spertsyan, Atangana

Forwards: Trincao, Ivan Toney, Galeno

The fixture represents the opening match of the tournament’s first-round schedule, with Auckland City providing the opposition for the Saudi Arabian side on home territory.

Pusic has therefore selected a front three featuring Toney in the central role, supported by Trincao and Galeno. Mendy has also been included from the start, with Demiral and Ibanez forming part of the defensive line.

The game is being staged at Alinma Stadium, the venue identified as the home of Al-Ahli Saudi. The winner will earn the right to continue in the competition against Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African representatives, in the following phase of the tournament.

The official team announcement was also published ahead of kick-off, accompanied by the club’s line-up graphic for the continental champions’ evening fixture.

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