AZ News
View all →
Football"A Joke".. Sevilla Coach Slams Raphinha's Ballon d'Or Snub After Another Hat-Trick
Luis García Plaza is baffled by Raphinha's absence from the Ballon d'Or list after his hat-trick against Sevilla, taking his tally to 14 goals this season.
FootballDespite Inter Miami's Draw.. Messi Keeps Smashing Records
Lionel Messi scores his 930th career goal and 101st for Inter Miami with a brilliant free-kick in his side's 2-2 draw against San Diego in MLS.
FootballAl Ahly Boosted by Returning Trio Before Zamalek Summit.. Two Absences Complicate the Picture
The return of Yasser Ibrahim, Koka and Taher Mohamed Taher strengthens Al Ahly ahead of the Zamalek summit, while the absence of El-Shenawy and Amr El-Gazzar poses defensive challenges for Ammouta.
Transfers"Maaloul isn't for sale".. Sfaxien settles the debate over the Libyan offer
CS Sfaxien's management has turned down an official $800,000 offer from Libya's Al-Ahly Benghazi for team captain Ali Maaloul, opting to keep him amid a defensive injury crisis.
National TeamsMorocco's official squad revealed for Gabon and Lesotho
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi has officially unveiled a 29-man squad to prepare Morocco's AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho, headlined by the first call-ups of Belarouch, Zabiri and Ben Tayeb.
Champions LeagueChampions League Matchday 1 2026-27 Recap: PSG's Rout, United's Big Return
A look back at the standout results from Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase, headlined by PSG's rout, a Bayern masterclass, and Manchester United's triumphant return.
%2Cfit(1920%3A)&w=3840&q=75)
Matches
Standings
| P | DIFF | PTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | ||||
| 1 |  AZ | 7 | +12 | 19 |
| 2 |  Feyenoord Rotterdam | 7 | +18 | 17 |
| 3 |  PSV | 7 | +14 | 16 |
| 4 |  FC Twente '65 | 7 | +8 | 16 |
| 5 |  AFC Ajax | 7 | +12 | 14 |
| 6 |  Fortuna Sittard | 7 | -1 | 13 |
| 7 |  SBV Excelsior | 7 | +6 | 11 |
| 8 |  FC Groningen | 7 | +2 | 11 |
| 9 |  Go Ahead Eagles | 7 | +2 | 10 |
| 10 |  SC Heerenveen | 7 | +2 | 9 |
| 11 |  NEC Nijmegen | 7 | -1 | 8 |
| 12 |  Sparta Rotterdam | 7 | -7 | 5 |
| 13 |  Telstar 1963 | 7 | -7 | 5 |
| 14 |  Cambuur | 7 | -9 | 5 |
| 15 |  FC Utrecht | 7 | -13 | 5 |
| Relegation | ||||
| 16 |  PEC Zwolle | 7 | -14 | 4 |
| 17 |  ADO Den Haag | 7 | -10 | 2 |
| 18 |  Willem II | 7 | -14 | 2 |
Rules and legend
- Qualification
- Relegation
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Key Players
Top Players
Season Statistics
Europa LeagueSeason 2026| Competition | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europa League2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
 Eredivisie2026 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 19 |
| Eredivisie2025 | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 58 | 51 | 52 |
 Conference League2025 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| Eredivisie2024 | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 58 | 37 | 57 |
| Eredivisie2023 | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 70 | 39 | 65 |
| Eredivisie2022 | 34 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 68 | 35 | 67 |
| Eredivisie2021 | 34 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 64 | 44 | 61 |
| Eredivisie2020 | 34 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 75 | 41 | 71 |
| Eredivisie2019 | 25 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 54 | 17 | 56 |
| Eredivisie2018 | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 64 | 43 | 58 |
| Eredivisie2017 | 23 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 43 | 22 | 47 |
Transfers
Arrivals (10)
Andrea NataliTransfer Free
28 Jul
Jari De BusserTransfer Free30 Jun
Lewis SchoutenLoan –29 Jun
Sem van DuijnLoan –29 Jun
Zico BuurmeesterLoan –29 Jun
Departures (11)
Kasper BoogaardLoan –22 Jul- Zico BuurmeesterTransfer Free
5 Jul 
Lequincio ZeefuikLoan –30 Jun
Sven MijnansTransfer Free30 Jun
Kristijan BelićTransfer Free
30 Jun
History of AZ Alkmaar
Founding and Early Years
AZ was founded on 10 May 1967 as "AZ '67," born from the merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek. Brothers Cees and Klaas Molenaar financed the club's early years and rescued it from a serious debt crisis in 1972.
Club Evolution
Nicknamed "De Kaasboeren" (The Cheese Farmers), reflecting the Alkmaar region's cheese-producing identity, the club plays at AFAS Stadion, opened in 2006.
Great Managers
Co Adriaanse laid the foundations of the club's European regular status in the mid-2000s, and Louis van Gaal delivered the stunning 2008-09 league title against pessimistic predictions, before moving to Bayern Munich. Maarten Martens led the club to the 2024-25 KNVB Cup final before being dismissed in January 2026, despite a 6-0 win over Ajax.
Iconic Players
Kees Kist, the club's all-time top scorer and 1979 European Golden Shoe winner, remains AZ's greatest-ever legend. Tijjani Reijnders, an academy product who went on to AC Milan and then Manchester City, illustrates the academy's reputation, alongside fellow graduates Guus Til, Calvin Stengs, Teun Koopmeiners and Owen Wijndal.
Major Achievements
AZ have won the Dutch league twice (1980-81, 2008-09) and the KNVB Cup five times, most recently in 2025-26 (5-1 over NEC in the final), along with a runner-up finish in the 1981-82 UEFA Cup final against Ipswich Town.
The Club Today
Coached by Lee-Roy Echteld, promoted internally after Maarten Martens' surprise dismissal in January 2026, AZ finished 7th in the 2025-26 championship but won the KNVB Cup, their first major trophy since 2013, qualifying for the Conference League.
Frequently asked questions
When is AZ's next match?+
AZ face Feyenoord Rotterdam on 10 October 2026.
What is AZ's current standing?+
AZ are currently 26 in Europa League with 0 points.
When was AZ Alkmaar founded?+
On 10 May 1967, from the merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek.
What is AZ Alkmaar's home stadium?+
AFAS Stadion, opened in 2006.
Who is AZ Alkmaar's current head coach?+
Lee-Roy Echteld.
Has AZ ever won the Dutch league?+
Yes, twice (1980-81, 2008-09).
Who is the club's greatest-ever legend?+
Kees Kist, the club's all-time top scorer.
Did AZ win the KNVB Cup in 2025-26?+
Yes, beating NEC 5-1 in the final.
Which young Dutch international came through AZ's academy?+
Tijjani Reijnders.