Al-Ittihad Club

Al-Ittihad Club are the oldest surviving sports institution in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1927 by a group of football enthusiasts in Jeddah who sought to create an organized sporting outlet for the city's youth. Nearly a century later, the club have accumulated ten Saudi Pro League titles, ten King's Cup trophies, and two consecutive AFC Champions League crowns, establishing themselves as one of the most successful teams in Asian football history.

The 2000s represented a golden age. Under a succession of talented coaches, Al-Ittihad won back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2004 and 2005 — a feat achieved by only a handful of clubs in the competition's history — while also dominating domestically with league titles in 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, and 2008-09. Stars like Sami Al-Jaber and Mohammed Noor became legends not just in Jeddah but across the continent.

The club's modern resurgence has been equally impressive. After PIF acquired a 75% stake in 2023, Al-Ittihad signed Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, assembling one of the strongest squads in league history. The 2022-23 title under Nuno Espírito Santo was followed by the 2024-25 championship, confirming Al-Ittihad as the team to beat in the Saudi Pro League. Their King Abdullah Sports City home, known as "The Jewel," has become a fortress.

Now under Sérgio Conceição, who replaced Laurent Blanc in October 2025, Al-Ittihad are chasing a rare three-peat of league titles while continuing to represent Saudi football on the continental stage. With Benzema providing world-class finishing and Kanté covering every blade of grass in midfield, the black and gold remain formidable contenders on all fronts.