Al-Sadd head coach Razvan Lucescu expressed his thoughts ahead of his side’s opening game of the 2026-27 Doha Bank Stars League season against Al-Ahli, emphasising the need to be focused.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Razvan said: “Every time we start a new season, there are always a lot of emotions. It’s the moment when we finally get into the real work of being a team, of being a coach and a player. So, all of us are really looking forward to the beginning of the season.” ... 

Yousuf Abdurisag opened the scoring in the 54th minute, before captain Hassan Al Haydos doubled Al Sadd’s lead in the 75th minute. The match also saw Roberto Firmino miss a penalty in the 65th minute.

Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu expressed his great happiness at joining a club of Al-Sadd’s stature for the upcoming season during the pre-match press conference ahead of Al-Sadd’s clash against MC Alger for the Al-Ahrar Cup.

Speaking at the press conference, Lucescu said: “I am proud to be here at a big club like Al-Sadd. I know this is the first match, and we are all fully focused. Although it is the beginning of the season, playing a friendly match with the status of a tournament will certainly be a motivating factor for us.” ... 

Qatar referee Mishari Al-Shammari, under the direction of the Qatar Football Association’s Referees Committee, held a session for Al-Sadd’s first-team players to explain the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game that will be implemented by referees from the start of the 2026–2027 Qatar Stars League season. ... 

Al-Sadd recorded a 1–0 victory over Turkish side Trabzonspor in their third pre-season friendly during the club’s training camp in Austria on Thursday, as preparations continued for the 2026–2027 season.

Al-Sadd started the match with Saad Al-Dosari in goal; Tarek Salman, Paulo Otávio, Abdessamad Bounacer and Younes Al-Hannash in defence; Augusto Soria, Claudinho, Hashim Ali and Guilherme Torres in midfield; while Roberto Firmino and Rafa Mujica led the attack. ... 

Al-Sadd Sports Club confirms that it is taking all necessary steps to safeguard the club’s full rights regarding the transfer ban imposed on the club.

For purely administrative reasons, the club will provide a full explanation and clarification of the matter at the appropriate time, in accordance with the club’s best interests. ... 

Al-Sadd suffered a 4–1 defeat to UAE side Shabab Al Ahli in their second pre-season friendly on Wednesday as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026–2027 season.

Al-Sadd started the match with Saad Al-Dosari in goal; Tarek Salman, Paulo Otávio, Abdessamad Bounacer and Abdullah Al-Yazidi in defence; Augusto Soria, Claudinho and Hashim Ali in midfield; while Giovani Henrique, Roberto Firmino and Rafa Mujica led the attack. ... 

Al-Sadd’s Brazilian full-back Paulo Otavio spoke of his delight after extending his contract with the club for three more years.

Otavio, who joined the club in the summer of 2023, expressed his thoughts on the occasion, speaking to the club website.

He said: “I am very happy with my first three years at Al-Sadd, and my family is also very happy here in the country. The country has given us everything, and I think the least I can give back is my maximum on the pitch. I’m really happy. I am really, really happy. I have no words to express how happy and grateful we are for the next three years that lie ahead.” ... 

Al-Sadd’s first football team suffered a 2–1 defeat to Czech side Sigma Olomouc in their first pre-season friendly on Friday as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026–2027 season.

Al-Sadd started the match with Saad Al-Dosari in goal; Tarek Salman, Paulo Otávio, Abdessamad Bounacer and Younes Al-Hanash in defence; Augustin Soria, Claudinho and Hashim Ali in midfield; while Giovani Henrique, Roberto Firmino and Rafa Mujica led the attack. ...