Walid Al-Farraj backs Al Ahli while questioning Saudi FA chief before Sundowns final

Walid Al-Farraj has criticised Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal over the expected absence of senior officials from Al Ahli’s Intercontinental Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns, while making clear that he wants the Saudi club to lift the trophy.

Speaking on his programme Rotana Sport with Walid, Al-Farraj discussed the importance of official support ahead of the match, which pits the Asian champions against the African champions. He also outlined his personal hopes for Al Ahli as the team seeks another continental honour after winning the AFC Champions League Elite.

Al-Farraj said he would have attended the match if he had been in charge of the federation.

“If I were president of the Football Federation in place of Al-Ruzai, I would be with Al Ahli in the Intercontinental Cup final,” he said.

His comments were made in the context of the support he believes should be shown to Al Ahli, who are representing Saudi football against Mamelodi Sundowns. The match is being played on the South African club’s home ground, adding to the challenge facing the Saudi side.

However, Al-Farraj also offered an unequivocal message of support to Al Ahli before kick-off, saying he hoped the team would return with the trophy.

“I hope Al Ahli come back with the cup. Some people do not want that, but I hope it is Al Ahli’s,” he said.

The remarks came as attention intensified around the fixture, with the game providing Al Ahli with the chance to add another major title to their recent AFC Champions League Elite triumph. The meeting between the Asian and African champions has attracted considerable interest from supporters and the media.

A post published by Rotana Sport on 18 September 2026 also stated that Saudi Football Federation secretary-general Majed Al-Sahib had arrived in Pretoria to support Al Ahli. The post included Al-Farraj’s comment about where he would have wanted the federation president to be during the final.

Al-Farraj’s intervention therefore combined criticism of what he viewed as a lack of senior official presence with a public declaration of support for Al Ahli. His comments added another dimension to the build-up before the opening whistle, with the Saudi club aiming to secure a new achievement at continental level against Mamelodi Sundowns.