The 2026 King’s Cup final is fast approaching, with Al Hilal and Al Kholood set to clash on May 8, live on SPOTV NOW.
Al Hilal are chasing history as they target a record-extending 10th title, while Al Kholood are on the brink of a fairytale, hoping to lift the trophy for the first time.
Here’s how both sides booked their place in the final.
| Al Hilal | Stage | Al Kholood |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 Al Adalah | Round of 32 | 2-1 Al Bukiryah |
| 1-0 Al Okhdood | Round of 16 | 1-0 Al Najma |
| 4-1 Al Fateh | Quarter-finals | 4-3 Al Khalaaj |
| 1-1 Al Ahli (4-2 p.s.) |
Semi-finals | 2-2 Al Ittihad (5-4 p.s.) |
Al Hilal
Al Hilal’s campaign began in unconvincing fashion, edging past second-tier side Al Adalah 1-0 in September during a demanding stretch that saw them play five matches in just 12 days across the Saudi Pro League, AFC Champions League and King’s Cup.
Their Round of 16 win over Al Okhdood came under similarly congested conditions, but performances improved as the schedule eased. In the quarter-finals, Simone Inzaghi’s side delivered a statement result, defeating Al Fateh 4-1 to underline their credentials.
Their toughest test then came in the semi-finals against Al Ahli. Despite being second best for long periods across 120 minutes, Al Hilal showed resilience and progressed via a penalty shootout to secure their place in the final.
Al Kholood
While Al Kholood have struggled in the lower half of the Saudi Pro League, their King’s Cup run has been nothing short of remarkable.
They navigated the early rounds successfully, including a thrilling seven-goal encounter against Al Khalaaj, but saved their biggest moment for the semi-finals. There, they stunned defending champions Al Ittihad to book a historic first appearance in the final.
Head-to-Head Record
Recent meetings heavily favour Al Hilal, who recorded emphatic 3-1 and 6-0 victories in the Saudi Pro League this season.
However, the final may not be as straightforward. Injuries could yet influence the outcome, with several Al Hilal players including Kalidou Koulibaly, Karim Benzema, Malcom and Hamad Al Yami having missed recent matches and facing fitness concerns ahead of the showdown.
In contrast, Al Kholood arrive with a relatively clean bill of health and will look to Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa for inspiration. The winger has enjoyed a breakout season and recently claimed his fourth Best Promising Player of the Month award.
