The Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) has launched its 2026 Talent League season.
Announced by the AFL earlier this year, the Bachar Houli Foundation will feature in the Talent League for the first time in 2026, set to play in two matches this season.
The Academy will play their first match against the GWS Giants Academy this Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark from 1:30pm.
The BHF will also face the Tasmania Devils in Round 16, with details to be confirmed.
The Academy features emerging Islamic talent across Australia aged between 15 and 18-years-old.
In recent years, the BHF Academy has seen three participants transition to the top level of AFL football; Saad El-Hawli (Essendon), Hussien El Achkar (Essendon) and Adam Sweid (Fremantle).
Designed as a stepping stone towards elite AFL pathways, the Foundation’s 2026 squad of 28 features participants who are also currently listed in Talent League squads.
Among those is Khaled El Souki from the Western Jets.
El Souki has enjoyed a strong start to the season for the Jets, booting 13 goals to emerge as the competition's top goalkicker throughout the first five rounds.
The crafty half-forward has also recorded 18 disposals per game this season, with a stand-out performance coming against the Northern Knights in Round 4 where he kicked six goals.
Also featuring for the Jets this year is Ahmed Houli.
A host of Calder Cannons also feature in the BHF squad, including Isa Merhi.
The 16-year-old Merhi has averaged 20 disposals per game for the Cannons so far this season.
He has lined up with fellow BHF participants Moustafa Darwish, Ahmad Abdallah and Jad Naim.
Although injury has curtailed his start to the year, Blake Justice will look to string another strong season together for the Cannons after his impressive 2025 campaign saw him included in the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys Squad.
Adam Samie features for the Northern Knights, while six participants hail from the Foundation’s interstate academies.
The trio of Zayd El-Hosni, Zain Baroudi and Ayman Ismail come from South Australia, while out of Western Australia is Riaz Mohammad from the Brigades Football Club.
Also featuring for the BHF is 194cm Muhammad Darwich out of New South Wales.
The first bounce for the Bachar Houli Foundation’s clash against the GWS Giants Academy is set for 1:30pm this Saturday, April 25 at Blacktown International Sportspark.
