Mamelodi Sundowns guaranteed FIFA Intercontinental Cup medals before Al Ahli tie

Mamelodi Sundowns are guaranteed medals in September regardless of the result when they begin their FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign against Al Ahli.

The match will be played at Loftus Versfeld on 19 September, with the fixture designated Match 2 (M2) and carrying the title of the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. Sundowns qualified as holders of the CAF Champions League, while Al Ahli will represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as winners of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League.

The regulations for the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup confirm that every participating club will receive medals, while the tournament trophy will go to the eventual winners.

Article 51 of the competition regulations states:

“A souvenir plaque will be presented to each participating club. Participation certificates will be presented to each member of each official team delegation.

“Medals and trophies will be presented to the teams as follows:

“The winning Participating Club will receive a trophy.

“FIFA will issue, at a later date, Trophy Regulations.

“The winning Participating Club shall ensure its full compliance with these Trophy Regulations.

“At the conclusion of the competition, other special awards may be presented either at the awards ceremony or at a later date,” state the regulations released on Friday.

The winner of Sundowns’ match with Al Ahli will progress to face either the 2026 CONCACAF Champions League winners, Toluca FC, or the champions of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

That tie will determine which club advances to the final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The newly released regulations also provide clarity on disciplinary matters. Single yellow cards and outstanding suspensions that could not be served during a club’s confederation competition will not be carried into the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

As a result, Teboho Mokoena, Brayan Leon, Divine Lunga, Ronwen Williams, Arthur Sales and Keanu Cupido will all enter the tournament without those previous disciplinary sanctions affecting their availability.

Sundowns must also submit a provisional squad list for every match. The regulations require the club to provide an “extensive and realistic provisional list as possible of prospective players”, with at least two goalkeepers included, no later than 14 days before each fixture.

With the meeting against Al Ahli scheduled for 19 September, Sundowns are required to submit that list this week.

The competition will therefore offer Sundowns the opportunity to claim a trophy on home ground, but their players and delegation are assured of receiving medals simply for taking part. Paris Saint-Germain await the eventual winner in the final, while the remaining route to that match includes Toluca FC or the yet-to-be-determined 2026 Copa Libertadores champions.