Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club (), commonly known as Al-Ahli, is a Saudi professional football club based in Jeddah. It competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of Saudi football.
Since its founding in 1937, the club has been known as one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. Domestically, Al-Ahli has won 9 Saudi Professional Leagues, 13 Kings Cups, 6 Crown Prince Cups, 2 Super Cups and 5 Federations Cups. In international club football, they have won 1 AFC Champions League Elite, a record equal of three GCC Champions League and one Arab Club Championship. Al-Ahli was the first Saudi club to win the league and the King's Cup in the same season, and has done so twice - in 1978 and 2016.
Al-Ahli was one of the four founding members of the Saudi Pro League and had never been relegated from the top flight until the 2021âÂÂ22 season. The other three are Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr. Al-Ahli hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in the league with their 51-match unbeaten streak from 2014 to 2016.
Al-Ahli's home games are played at King Abdullah Sports City, also known as the shining jewel Stadium. The stadium, which is shared with long-lasting city rivals Al-Ittihad since 2014 and Jeddah FC, is the second-largest stadium in Saudi Arabia, with a total capacity of approximately .
Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club was founded in 1937 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The idea of establishing the club came from a group of students from Al-Falah School, who sought to create a sporting institution that would represent the city and promote organized football activities.
In its early years, Al-Ahli participated in regional competitions in the Western Province, gradually building its reputation as one of the strongest teams in Jeddah. The club played a key role in the development of organized football in Saudi Arabia before the establishment of national league competitions.
On 2 July 2025, Al Ahli Saudi FC unveiled their new logo.
During the 1950s, Al-Ahli began achieving significant success in domestic tournaments. The club won its first major title, the Crown Prince Cup, in the 1956âÂÂ57 season, marking the beginning of its emergence as a competitive force in Saudi football. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Al-Ahli consistently competed for national honors and contributed players to the Saudi national team.
The club became known for its technical style of play and its focus on youth development, establishing a strong foundation that would later define one of the most successful periods in its history.
Al-Ahli won 7 Saudi League titles, five of them being consecutive league titles without a single defeat, 4 King Cup and one Crown Prince Cup, establishing itself as the strongest club across Saudi Arabia. These titles were later officially recognized, contributing to Al-Ahli's current record of nine league titles.
The team was led by players such as Abdulrazzaq Abu Dawood, Amin Dabo, and Ahmed Eid.
In the 1977âÂÂ78 season, AlâÂÂAhli won a domestic double, claiming their first unified Saudi Premier League title alongside the King Cup. The Brazilian coach Didi managed AlâÂÂAhli from 1977 to 1981, guiding the team to these historic victories, including the league championship in 1978 and the King Cup in 1978.
In the 1983âÂÂ84 season, the former Brazilian coach Telê Santana led Al-Ahli from 1983 to 1985, winning two major titles: the Saudi League in 1984 and the King Cup in 1983. Later, Al-Ahli also achieved success by winning the Gulf Club Champions League in 1985.
In 1987, during Al-Ahli 50th anniversary, Diego Maradona made an appearance for Al-Ahli. The Argentine footballer wore an Al-Ahli jersey and participated in the celebratory match held in Jeddah.
In the 1990s, AlâÂÂAhli continued to be one of Saudi ArabiaâÂÂs most competitive clubs, frequently finishing near the top of the Saudi Pro League but narrowly missing out on the championship. They were league runnersâÂÂup several times in this decade, including in 1989âÂÂ90, 1995âÂÂ96, and 1998âÂÂ99, demonstrating consistent strength in domestic competition. The clubâÂÂs major success in this period came in knockout football, particularly with their Crown Prince Cup triumph in 1998, when they lifted the trophy in an exciting final, adding an important domestic silverware to their history.
in the 2000s though the Saudi league title still remained out of reach. They recorded strong finishes in the Saudi Pro League and enjoyed success in cup competitions, most notably winning the Crown Prince Cup in 2002 and 2007. In addition to cup glory, the club captured multiple Saudi Federation Cup titles (such as in 2001, 2002, and 2007), reinforcing their knack for knockout competition. Regionally, AlâÂÂAhli also captured the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2002 and the Gulf Club Champions League in 2002 and 2008 during this decade, adding international silverware to their trophy cabinet and further enhancing their reputation beyond Saudi borders.
The 2010s marked a resurgence and arguably one of the most successful decades in AlâÂÂAhliâÂÂs modern history. AlâÂÂAhli steadily built momentum that set the stage for their historic breakthrough. Although the early part of the decade saw the club as strong league contenders, finishing as runnersâÂÂup in the 2011âÂÂ12 Saudi Pro League and again in 2014âÂÂ15 Saudi Pro League , it was in cup competitions where they truly shined. AlâÂÂAhli captured the KingâÂÂs Cup twice during this period, securing backâÂÂtoâÂÂback titles in 2011 and 2012, affirming their strength in knockout football. The club capped this preâÂÂtreble era by winning the 2014âÂÂ15 Saudi Crown Prince Cup in the season, their sixth overall in the competition, when they defeated Al-Hilal 2âÂÂ1 in the final.
During this era, the club also set a league record with a 51âÂÂmatch unbeaten streak in the Saudi Pro League and reaffirmed themselves as one of the countryâÂÂs top football forces.
After 32 years of nearâÂÂmisses, they finally won the Saudi Pro League the club secured a historic treble under the management of Swiss coach Christian Gross by winning the 2015âÂÂ16 Saudi Pro League Al-Ahli earned the league title two rounds before the end, after a 3âÂÂ1 victory against rivals Al-Hilal at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Syrian striker Omar Al Somah scored two goals.
Al-Ahli captured the 2016 King Cup, defeating Al-Nassr 2âÂÂ1 in the final, with Al-Somah once again scoring. Later that year, Al-Ahli completed the treble by winning the 2016 Saudi Super Cup, held in London at Craven Cottage (the home stadium of Fulham FC), after defeating Al-Hilal on penalties following a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
On 13 December 2016, Al-Ahli played a friendly match against FC Barcelona at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The match was part of the "Champions Match" organized by Qatar Airways, which was the official sponsor of both clubs at the time
Barcelona won the match 5âÂÂ3, with goals scored by Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suárez, Paco Alcácer, and Rafinha. Al-Ahli responded with three goals of their own.
The 2020s began with contrasting fortunes for AlâÂÂAhli. In 2021âÂÂ22 Saudi Pro League, for the first time in their long history, the club suffered relegation from the Saudi Pro League, marking a dramatic low point to Saudi First Division. However, they immediately bounced back in the 2022âÂÂ23 Saudi First Division League season by winning League and securing promotion back to the top tier, showing resilience and ambition.
On 3 May 2025, Al-Ahli were crowned champions of the 2024âÂÂ25 AFC Champions League Elite after defeating Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in the final with a score of 2âÂÂ0. The match was held at King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah. Galeno scored the first goal at 35th minute with an out of the box shot to the top right corner, and Franck Kessie scored the second with a header at 42nd minute, the two goals were assisted by Roberto Firmino This marked Al-Ahli's first title in the AFC Champions League.
They also added another domestic trophy by winning the Saudi Super Cup in 2025 Saudi Super Cup. This remarkable turn around from relegation to continental champions represents one of the clubâÂÂs most dramatic and inspiring chapters.
In 2009, the club celebrated its 75th anniversary. On 3 July 2009, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz received the heads and members of the honor of the club and its board of directors, on the occasion of Al-Ahli winning four International titles in 2008. The club was awarded the highest honor; it was presented with the shield of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for sports excellence, and the title "Ambassador of the Homeland".
The Jeddah Derby refers to the rivalry between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad Club, the two major football clubs based in Jeddah. The fixture is one of the most prominent derbies in Saudi football, reflecting the cityâÂÂs deep sporting culture and passionate fan bases. Matches between the two sides are regularly contested in domestic competitions such as the Saudi Pro League and the KingâÂÂs Cup, often drawing large attendances and significant media attention. The rivalry dates back decades and is known for its intense atmosphere both on and off the pitch.
In 1989, Al-Ahli hosted the Brazil national team in a friendly match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. Brazil won the match 3âÂÂ1, with goals scored by Bebeto (two goals) and Washington, while Al-Ahli's only goal was scored by Al-Mualla.
The Brazilian national team also conducted official training sessions at Al-Ahli's facilities during their stay for the inaugural King Fahd Cup, which later evolved into the FIFA Confederations Cup.
In addition to the 1989 encounter, Al-Ahli faced Brazilian opposition again during the 1998 International Friendship Tournament (King Fahd Tournament), further strengthening the club's historical ties with Brazilian football.
Throughout its history, Al-Ahli has been managed by several prominent Brazilian coaches:
Al-Ahli has also been home to several notable Brazilian players, including:
Al-Ahli Team has won 53 titles
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