PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ziyad Mubarak Eid Al-Marwani Al-Johani |
| Date of Birth | 11 November 2001 (Age: 24) |
| Place of Birth | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 60 kg / 132 lbs |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder / Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #30 (Al-Ahli) |
| Current Club | Al-Ahli Saudi FC |
| Previous Clubs | None (one-club man) |
| International Caps | 12 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (squad member) |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
| Market Value | ~€831K (peak ~€975K) |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ziyad Al Johani, the 24-year-old midfielder from Jeddah who had risen through Al-Ahli’s youth ranks and established himself as a key figure in midfield, was named in Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad for the tournament. The Green Falcons had returned to the global stage, and Al Johani was part of the journey.
The tournament would pass without a single minute of action for the young midfielder—he was an unused substitute in all three group matches against Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde. But his presence in the squad was a testament to his rapid rise. Just weeks before, he had featured for Saudi Arabia in a friendly against Puerto Rico, playing 64 minutes. The World Cup had been achieved, but the minutes had not come.
The boy from Jeddah who had signed his first professional contract with Al-Ahli in August 2020, who had worked his way through the youth ranks to become a first-team regular, who had rejected interest from Al-Hilal to stay loyal to his boyhood club, who had earned his first senior call-up in 2025, had arrived on the global stage. His journey was just beginning.
Origins
Ziyad Mubarak Eid Al-Marwani Al-Johani was born on November 11, 2001, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is left-footed and plays primarily as a defensive midfielder.
His footballing journey began in the youth system of Al-Ahli Saudi FC, where he developed through the ranks. On August 8, 2020, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He made his first-team debut on May 30, 2021, in the final match of the season against Al-Ettifaq, coming on as a substitute. He was just 19 years old.
His international career began at youth level. He represented Saudi Arabia at U20 and U23 levels before earning his senior debut in 2025. He has since earned 12 caps for the Green Falcons.
The Forge
Al-Ahli Saudi FC (2020–Present):
Al Johani is a one-club man, having spent his entire professional career with Al-Ahli since his debut in 2020. Over his career, he has made 110 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 6 goals.
The 2024–25 season was his breakout campaign. He made 30 league appearances (27 starts), accumulating 2,223 minutes of playing time and scoring 2 goals with 1 assist. His performances earned him a regular starting role and his first senior international call-up.
The 2025–26 season saw him continue as a key figure in Al-Ahli’s midfield. He made 26 league appearances (17 starts), accumulating 1,499 minutes of playing time. He recorded 0 goals and 1 assist. He was also a key contributor in the AFC Champions League Elite, making 9 appearances and scoring 1 goal. He also featured in 3 King’s Cup appearances.
On July 24, 2022, Al Johani extended his contract with Al-Ahli until the end of the 2025–26 season. In 2026, he signed another extension, committing his long-term future to the club until 2030.
International Career:
Al Johani’s senior international career began with his first call-up in 2025. He has earned 12 caps for Saudi Arabia, featuring in friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. At the 2026 World Cup, he was an unused substitute in all three group matches.
The Anatomy of His Game
Ziyad Al Johani is a 24-year-old defensive midfielder defined by his defensive contributions, tactical discipline, and consistency. Standing at 1.80 meters, he is a deceptively strong presence in the centre of the pitch, despite his slight frame.
In Possession:
Al Johani is a composed passer with reliable distribution. In the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season, he completed 548 successful passes with an 87.8% success rate. He recorded 1 assist in the league campaign, creating 14 chances in total. In the AFC Champions League Elite, he contributed 2 assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute to the attacking phase despite his primarily defensive role. His expected goals (xG) stood at 0.83, and his expected assists (xA) at 1.24 in the 2025–26 season.
Out of Possession:
Defensively, Al Johani is a disciplined and hard-working presence. He recorded 34 tackles, 13 interceptions, and 67 recoveries in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season. He also won 49.6% of his duels and 40% of his aerial duels. His defensive output is a key strength. His disciplinary record is a concern—he received 6 yellow cards and 2 red cards in the 2025–26 season. Across his career, he has accumulated 18 yellow cards and 2 red cards in 89 league appearances.
Psychological Edge:
Al Johani’s mental resilience is demonstrated by his loyalty and consistency. He has been a one-club man at Al-Ahli since 2020. In 2026, he revealed that he had received an offer from Al-Hilal during the previous transfer window but chose to stay, reaffirming his commitment to Al-Ahli. He cited the club’s significance to him professionally and personally. He also expressed ambitions for a future move to Europe, stating that a move abroad remains a personal goal as he continues to develop his game.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League (Al-Ahli) | 26 (17) | 1,499 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| King’s Cup (Al-Ahli) | 3 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Champions League Elite (Al-Ahli) | 9 | 524 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Saudi Arabia) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Al-Ahli | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Al-Ahli | 1 (0) | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | Al-Ahli | 10 (2) | 274 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Al-Ahli | 22 (10) | 927 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Al-Ahli | 30 (27) | 2,223 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 2025–26 | Al-Ahli | 26 (17) | 1,499 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| TOTAL | — | 89 | 4,952 | 4 | 2 | 18 |
TABLE C: International Record (2025–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 12 | — | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 12 | — | 0 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Born | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| 2020 | Professional Contract | Signed with Al-Ahli |
| 2021 | Senior Debut | vs Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Pro League |
| 2022 | Contract Extension | Extended until 2025–26 |
| 2024–25 | Breakthrough Season | 30 appearances, 2 goals, established as regular starter |
| 2025 | Saudi Arabia Debut | First senior international call-up |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad |
| 2026 | Contract Extension | Signed until 2030 |
What these figures reveal is a player of consistent progression. Al Johani has accumulated 89 Saudi Pro League appearances by age 24, all at a single club, with 4 goals and 2 assists. His 12 international caps and World Cup selection reflect his importance to Saudi Arabia, though tournament minutes have been elusive. His contract extension until 2030 reflects Al-Ahli’s confidence in his ability and his role in the club’s future.
The Present Tense
Ziyad Al Johani is 24 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Al-Ahli’s midfielder, a Saudi Arabian international with 12 caps, and a 2026 World Cup squad member.
The Al-Ahli Story:
Al Johani has been a one-club man since his debut in 2020. He has made 89 league appearances for Al-Ahli, scoring 4 goals. In the 2025–26 season, he made 26 league appearances. He signed a contract extension in 2026, committing his future to the club until 2030. He was also a key contributor to Al-Ahli’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign, making 9 appearances.
The World Cup Campaign:
Al Johani was named in Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was an unused substitute in all three group matches against Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde.
International Record:
Al Johani has earned 12 caps for Saudi Arabia since his debut in 2025. He has represented Saudi Arabia in friendlies and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Ziyad Al Johani is defined by his loyalty to Al-Ahli and his ambition to test himself abroad. A one-club man since 2020, he has spent his entire professional career with the Jeddah giants.
In 2026, Al Johani revealed that he had received an offer from Al-Hilal during the previous transfer window but chose to stay, reaffirming his commitment to Al-Ahli. He cited the club’s significance to him professionally and personally.
At the same time, Al Johani did not hide his long-term ambitions. He confirmed that a move abroad—especially to European leagues—remains a personal goal, as he continues to develop his game in pursuit of that step.
The Verdict from the Camp
The Analyst (Opta)
, on Al Johani’s career statistics:
Al Johani has made 89 Saudi Pro League appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists, with 18 yellow cards and 2 red cards.
FotMob
, on Al Johani’s 2025–26 season:
Al Johani made 26 appearances, recording 0 goals, 1 assist, 1,500 minutes, 6 yellow cards, and 2 red cards in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season.
Apex Football
, on Al Johani’s playing style:
Operating in central midfield alongside Franck Kessie, the slightly built central midfielder is a deceptively strong presence in the centre of the pitch, and was pivotal in Al Ahli’s surge towards the AFC Champions League Elite title. Al Johani’s string of impressive performances, both on the continent and in the RSL, saw him earn his first call-up to the Saudi Arabia national team.
Wikipedia
, on Al Johani’s career:
Al Johani signed his first professional contract with Al-Ahli on 8 August 2020. He made his first-team debut on 30 May 2021 in the final match of the season against Al-Ettifaq.
Al Johani
, on his future ambitions:
Al Johani confirmed that a move abroad—especially to European leagues—remains a personal goal, as he continues to develop his game in pursuit of that step.
Where Next?
Ziyad Al Johani is 24 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Al-Ahli, a Saudi Arabian international, and a World Cup participant.
For Saudi Arabia
, Al Johani is part of the national team setup. At 24, he has already earned 12 caps and been selected for a World Cup. He will be expected to continue contributing to the Green Falcons in future tournaments, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
For Al-Ahli
, Al Johani is a prized asset. He has signed a contract extension until 2030, committing his long-term future to the club. He is regarded as one of Al-Ahli’s standout young talents and is expected to lead the team in the years ahead, both domestically and on the continental stage. His market value is estimated at ~€831K.
His career trajectory is one of steady progression—from Al-Ahli’s youth ranks to the first team, from a peripheral player to a regular starter, from his debut in 2021 to a World Cup participant. He has overcome the challenges of establishing himself at one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs and has earned the trust of his national team coaches.
The midfielder from Jeddah who rose through Al-Ahli’s youth ranks, who rejected Al-Hilal to stay loyal to his boyhood club, who has played in a World Cup, who dreams of a move to Europe—Ziyad Al Johani’s journey is a story of loyalty, ambition, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
