Category: FOOTBALL

Al-Sadd lift Ahrar Cup after 2-0 win over MC Alger

Al Sadd have been crowned champions of the 2026 Al Ahrar Cup after defeating Algerian side MC Alger 2–0 in the game which was played on Saturday at Al Sadd’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

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.

Razvan Lucescu: Proud to be here at a big club like Al-Sadd

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.” ... 

Al-Sadd defeat Trabzonspor in third preseason friendly

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. ... 

Official Statement

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 lose to Shabab Al-Ahli in second preseason friendly

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. ... 

Paulo Otavio: Al-Sadd is my home and I am happy to extend my stay for another three years

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 lose to Sigma Olomouc in first preseason friendly

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. ...