The two clubs are vying to play the winner of the Derby of the Americas in the next stage, between Toluca of Mexico and an as-yet-unknown South American side.
Waiting in the final for the winner of that tie are European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Al Ahli, with the likes of England international Ivan Toney in their side, scraped past Auckland FC of New Zealand in the first round when they claimed a 1-0 victory.
No African side has lifted this trophy before, though TP Mazembe (2010, lost to Inter Milan) and Raja Casablanca (2013, lost to Bayern Munich) have previously been finalists.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly have finished third on four occasions, most recently in 2023.
Sundowns’ only previous appearance came in 2016, when they finished sixth after losing 2-0 to Japanese side Kashima Antlers in the second round and then 4-1 to South Koreans Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the battle for fifth place.
African clubs have featured in 61 matches since the competition was first played as the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000. That tournament has now evolved into the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, played every four years, with this slimmed-down Intercontinental Cup contested annually.
Teams from the continent have 20 wins, seven draws and 34 defeats, scoring 78 goals and conceding 98.
African sides have won their last four matches against Asian opposition, including last year, when Egypt’s Pyramids defeated Al Ahli 3-1.
In fact, African teams are unbeaten in their last eight clashes with Asian opposition (W7 D1), since Saudi side Al Hilal beat Espérance in 2019.
Overall, though, Asia still lead the head-to-head 12-8 after dominating the early meetings.