Should they advance, they will face the winner of the FIFA Derby of the Americas between Mexican side Toluca and the as-yet-unnamed CONMEBOL Libertadores champions for the right to meet Paris Saint-Germain in the final later this year.
It is a huge carrot for Sundowns, who would relish the chance to take on PSG for a world crown.
But there is plenty of work to be done before then, starting with Al Ahli, who defeated New Zealand’s Auckland FC 1-0 in the opener in Jeddah on Wednesday.
Here is a quick look at Al Ahli, who do have a connection with Sundowns in the past …
Key players
England international striker Ivan Toney leads the line as their marquee overseas player, but they also have Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and a quartet of Brazilians in defender Roger Ibañez, Matheus Gonçalves, and forwards Galeno and Ricardo Mathias.
Portugal international Francisco Trincão is another of their forward options, while the midfield is anchored by France junior international Valentin Atangana.
Coach
The side is led by Bosnian-Dutch coach Marino Pušić, who only took charge earlier this month and may still be finding his feet. He replaced Matthias Jaissle, who has just signed with Newcastle United.
He does not have a huge CV, but has coached FC Twente in the Netherlands and Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. He led the latter to the domestic league title in 2023/24 as well as two Ukrainian Cup triumphs.
He was also assistant manager to Arne Slot when Feyenoord won the Dutch league in 2022/23.
Sundowns connection
Both of these clubs have been coached by Pitso Mosimane, who looks set to take over the reins at Bafana Bafana again.
Mosimane led Sundowns between 2012 and 2020 with great success, including winning the CAF Champions League in 2016.
He also had a brief spell in charge of Al Ahli from September 2022 to June 2023 and led them to promotion to the top flight, but was not retained.
Recent record
Since Mosimane led them back into the Saudi Pro League, the club has finished third, fifth and third, but earned their place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup by virtue of their 2025/26 AFC Champions League Elite triumph. They have, in fact, won the competition in each of the past two seasons.
Last time out
This is the second year in a row that Al Ahli will compete in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
They joined at this same stage 12 months ago but lost 3-1 to African champions Pyramids FC in a game that was played in Jeddah.
Pyramids lost at the next stage to Brazilian side Flamengo, who in turn lost on penalties to PSG in the decider.
What’s in a name
Al Ahli were named after the famed Egyptian club and formed in Jeddah in 1937.
They are among the most successful sides in the country with nine league titles and went 51 consecutive league matches without defeat between January 2014 and February 2016, the longest run in Saudi league history.
Diego Maradona, Pelé and Johan Cruyff all played for the club in various friendly matches.