Salem Al-Dawsari posted a photo of himself holding the AFC Player of the Year award alongside a video clip from the day he was crowned in 2022, ahead of the 2026 Asian Player of the Year ceremony. The AFC's annual awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on 19 November 2026, with Firas Al-Buraikan and Alireza Beiranvand also nominated.
Al-Dawsari's club and national-team figures
Al-Dawsari has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 matches with Al-Hilal over last season and the current one. He featured in six matches for the Saudi national team during 2026, scoring once and lifting the King's Cup.
Al-Buraikan's titles with Al-Ahli
Al-Buraikan scored in the sixth minute of the first period of extra time in the AFC Champions League Elite final against Japan's Machida Zelvia, handing Al-Ahli the continental crown. He helped Al-Ahli lift the Saudi Super Cup for the second time in the club's history. He also scored in the Gulf Cup final as Saudi Arabia won the tournament, finishing as its top scorer with three goals.
Beiranvand's World Cup and club record
Alireza saved seven clear-cut shots and received the man of the match award during Iran's goalless draw with Belgium at the 2026 World Cup. He started all three of Iran's World Cup matches and reached 90 international appearances. At club level, he helped Tractor reach the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Elite, featured in nine matches in the tournament and kept five clean sheets. Tractor finished second in the Iranian league.
