Kuwait SC won the 2025/26 AFC Challenge League on 13 May 2026, beating Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng 4–3 after extra time at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. The hosts recovered from 2–0 down, fell behind again in extra time and found a second comeback to claim the trophy.
Nearly 44,000 supporters watched a final that changed direction three times. It became Kuwait SC’s fourth continental title, following their three AFC Cup wins.
Kuwait SC’s plans were disrupted almost immediately. Tiago Alves put Svay Rieng ahead in the third minute, and Ryo Fujii doubled the visitors’ lead in the ninth. The Cambodian club had a two-goal advantage before the home side had found a way into the match.
Svay Rieng arrived having also reached the previous season’s final. Their fast start suggested they might go one step further this time, but Kuwait SC still had the entire second half to respond.
Mehdi Barrahma reduced the deficit in the 48th minute. Eight minutes later, Mohamed Marhoon scored the equaliser, bringing Kuwait SC back to 2–2 and giving the home crowd renewed belief.
That remained the score at the end of normal time. For readers following football markets, the football betting terms guide explains why a result after 90 minutes differs from the team that eventually lifts a trophy after extra time.
Cristian Roque restored Svay Rieng’s lead in the 96th minute. Kuwait SC answered quickly: Amr Abd El Fattah scored three minutes later to make it 3–3, before substitute Yousef Nasser struck the winner in the 110th minute.
Abd El Fattah’s contribution extended beyond his goal. He also provided two assists during Kuwait SC’s recovery from the early deficit and was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player.
The Challenge League title joins Kuwait SC’s AFC Cup victories in 2009, 2012 and 2013. It also added a continental success to a season in which the club won the Kuwait Premier League for the fifth consecutive time.
For Svay Rieng, the defeat meant a second successive runner-up finish. Striker Kwame Peprah did not score in the final, but his eight goals across the campaign earned him the competition’s top scorer award.
