Al Ahli
Shabab Al Ahli Club is an Emirati professional football club based in Dubai, founded in 1970, that currently competes in the UAE Pro League. The club plays its home matches at Rashid Stadium, which holds 12,000 spectators. Shabab Al Ahli stands as one of the most successful clubs in the UAE, having won 9 league titles, 11 UAE President Cup titles, 5 ADIB cup titles, 7 UAE Super Cup titles, and various other honors for a total of 36 titles, making them the second most successful team in the UAE and the most successful team in Dubai. The club was formed through a merger in 2017 when Dubai CSC and Al Shabab joined with Al Ahli FC, at which point the club renamed itself to Shabab Al Ahli.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Shabab Al Ahli Club was originally established as Al Ahli Club in 1970 when two local football teams Al Wehdah and Al Shabab merged during a training camp in Egypt under first club president H.E. Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah. Four years later, another local team Al Najah joined to form the complete Al Ahli Club. The name "Al Ahli" translates to "domestic or national" in Arabic, reflecting the club's national character.
Most recent season and achievements
The club has maintained its position as one of the UAE's top teams, with their most recent league title coming in the 2024-25 season, marking their ninth league championship. In the latest ranking by the IFFHS, Shabab Al Ahli was ranked the 7th best club in Asia and 110th in the world, demonstrating their continued excellence in regional and international football.
History
Early years
Al Ahli Club was established in 1970 when two local football teams Al Wehdah and Al Shabab joined for a training camp in Egypt but decided to merge as one single club under first club president H.E. Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah. Four years later another local team Al Najah joined to form Al Ahli Club. The club's name translates to "domestic or national" in Arabic, establishing its identity as a representative of national pride.
Successful period
It took Al Ahli only four years after its establishment to win the UAE Arabian Gulf League twice consecutively in 1974-75 and 1975-76, then again in 1979-80 for the third time, which allowed them to permanently keep the league trophy. The victorious team was led by coach Mohamed Shehta and featured players such as Hassan Nazari and Hassan Roshan. The team also won three President Cup titles during that period, establishing themselves as the dominant force in UAE football during the 1970s.
Crisis and recovery
However, the club went into decline for few decades, the result of which saw the club relegated to the second division in 1995-96 in a dramatic way. When Al Ahli played against neighbor rival Al Shabab, Al Ahli needed just one point from the match to stay in the first division but lost the match while Al Shabab won the league title. After a period of decline, Al Ahli went back on top under the new leadership of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, winning its fourth league title in 2006. The early 2000s saw Iranian legend Ali Karimi play multiple seasons for Al Ahli, finishing as league top scorer in 2003-04 and being named Asian footballer of the year 2004.
Current period
The club began to rise again in 2010 with Abdullah Al Naboodah, as the squad was gradually re-built with the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Grafite, and Ricardo Quaresma joining Emirati homegrown talents Ahmed Khalil and Ismael Al Hammadi. The arrival of Romanian football manager Cosmin Olaroiu in 2013 set the stage for a highly successful 2013-14 season, where Al Ahli won their 6th title with a record 62 points. In 2017, the clubs Dubai CSC and Al Shabab joined with Al-Ahli FC to form Shabab Al Ahli, marking the beginning of the current era.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Shabab Al Ahli has achieved remarkable success in domestic competitions with 9 UAE Pro League titles (1974-75, 1975-76, 1979-80, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2022-23, 2024-25). The club holds the record for most UAE President's Cup victories with 11 titles, won in 1974-75, 1976-77, 1987-88, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2007-08, 2012-13, 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2024-25. Additionally, they have claimed 5 UAE League Cup titles and 7 UAE Super Cup titles, both records in their respective competitions.
Continental and global competitions
In continental competition, Shabab Al Ahli reached the 2015 AFC Champions League Final, where they narrowly lost to Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 on aggregate. The club also participated in the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup as 2008-09 UAE Pro-League champions, though they lost 0-2 to Auckland City in their only game. They have won regional honors including the Qatar-UAE Super Shield in 2023-24, Qatar-UAE Challenge Shield in 2024-25, and the Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup in 2016.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The original Al Ahli logo reflected a falcon on top of a football and the words "Al Ahli Club" written horizontally. After rebranding themselves to Red Knights in 2006, the logo changed to a horse head shape with the letters "AC" (Al Ahli Club) on top. The new logo represents strength and high spirits and aligns with the new nickname Red Knights, replacing the old nickname the Red Devils.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Based on the club's nickname "Red Knights" and previous reference to "Red Devils," the traditional colors of Shabab Al Ahli are centered around red, though specific details about home and away kit colors are not provided in the source material.
Traditional Rivals
Al Ain
Shabab Al Ahli rivalry with Al Ain is gaining popularity as the two clubs alternated as champions in the 70s and more after 2010. Currently, both teams are considered among the top teams in the UAE, and their matches usually create a lively atmosphere.
Al Nasr
The old Dubai derby is contested between Al Ahli and Al Nasr. It has its roots from the early 1970s before the formation of the league. The two were the best teams in Dubai and games between the two teams would attract fans from all over the UAE, and even spectators from as far as Kuwait and Jordan.
Al Wasl
Al Nasr and Al Wasl are neighboring rivals competing for who is the best team in Dubai, creating additional competitive tension within the city's football landscape.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Nicknames
The club has evolved through different nicknames over its history. Originally known as the "Red Devils," Shabab Al Ahli rebranded themselves as the "Red Knights" in 2006. The club is also known as "Al Ahli Castle" because of its involvement in other professional sports beyond football.
Ownership and finances
The club operates under the leadership of the Dubai royal family, with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum serving as President, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum as Vice President, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum as Chairman, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum as Deputy Chairman. The club's rise to prominence was significantly supported by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Traditions and culture
Al Ahli is known for its involvement in cultural activities and community services. The Al Ahli Drama club, established in 1981, promotes Emirati arts and theatrical plays focusing on UAE tradition, heritage, and current events. The club has maintained strong connections with La Liga since 2016, becoming the first foreign club to sign a partnership agreement with the Spanish league.
Stadium
Rashid Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, named after Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Built in 1948, it currently holds 12,000 people and is used mostly for football and rugby matches. It serves as the primary home ground of Shabab Al Ahli. Following the 2017 merger, the club also has Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium and Al Aweer Stadium as second and third home grounds.
Al Ahli
Club Information
Official Name
Al Ahli
Short Name
AHL
Founding Year
1937
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
King Abdullah Sports City
Capacity
62.345
City
Jeddah, Ả Rập Xê Út
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Franck Yannick Kessié
Captain's Stats
183cm, 74kg
Head Coach
Matthias Jaissle
Head Coach Age
38 Age
Coach Nationality
DE
Coach Contract
28/07/2023 - 30/06/2027
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Hạng Nhất Ả Rập Saudi | 🏆 1 |
| 2017-2018 | VĐQG Ả Rập Saudi | 🏆 1 |
| 2017 | Cúp Nhà Vua Ả Rập Saudi | 🏆 2 |
| 2016-2017 | VĐQG Ả Rập Saudi | 🏆 2 |
| 2016 | Cúp Nhà Vua Ả Rập Saudi | 🏆 2 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Pro League (SAU)
71 Scored - 25 Conceded
AFC Champions League Elite (AFC)
12 Scored - 6 Conceded
AFC Champions League Elite (AFC)
21 Scored - 9 Conceded
Super Cup (KSA)
5 Scored - 1 Conceded
Pro League (SAU)
68 Scored - 36 Conceded