Al-Arabi SC

Foundation (1952–1972)

The club was founded in 1952 under the name "Shabab Al-Sharq" which was eventually changed to "Al-Tahrir" in 1956. The next year, the club merged with Al-Wehda, a club founded in the same year under the leadership of Mohamed Ali Ahmed Al-Ansari, after playing a friendly. They merged under the name of Al-Wehda. Al-Wehda did not play outside of Qatar nor host any foreign clubs due to its limited budget. In 1972, the club rebranded under the name, Al-Arabi. The first president of the club was Ahmed Ali Ahmed Al-Ansari. Al-Arabi had one of the largest fan bases in Qatar, as well as in other Gulf states. The club's popularity outside the Middle East was bolstered by their achievements and national team players. In 2003, the club signed Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta. The club placed 14th in the International Federation of Football History & Statistics's 1901–2000 Asian Club of the Century poll.

Emergence (1972–1980s)

The club established itself as one of the leading teams in Qatari football during the 1970s. Arabi finished as runners-up in the 1975–76 Emir Cup and went on to win the Emir Cup three consecutive times. The club defeated Al-Wakrah in the 1977–78 and 1978–79 finals, before overcoming Al-Khor in the 1979–80 final. The club continued its rise throughout the 1980s, emerging as one of Qatar's dominant football clubs. The squad featured several players who were a part of the Qatar national football team as well, including Ali…

The beginning

The club was founded as Al-Uruba in mid-1953 as one of the first Kuwaiti teams. Some of the most notable players were Abdulwahab Al-Awadie, Abdulaziz Al-Khatieb, Musad Al-Musad, Mohammed Al-Dawlee, Abdulmajied Mohammed, Mohammed Al-Somale, Dasman Bakhiet, Ahmad Bodha, Monaier Al-Dagag, Fuad Al-Ashgar, Ahmad Hussain, Abbas Al-Shemaly, Mossa Al-Somale, Nayef Dalool and Mohhamed Salah Al-Roomy. At first in 1960s Al-Arabi SC was structured with divisions of football, basketball, volleyball and weightlifting. At the beginning Al-Arabi SC made many achievements, thanks to their players and submitted board members. Al-Arabi has many sports with separate facilities. Abdulaziz Al-Khatib multi-purpose hall is used for basketball, handball, volleyball, squash, and can accommodate about 2,000 spectators. The swimming pool has a capacity of 1,500 spectators. Club also has 4 tennis courts, gymnastics hall, judo, table tennis and boxing sections.

1960–1980 (starting of Il-Za'īm)

Through the years Al-Arabi SC has won the Kuwait Premier League 7 times. They have also won 3 Joint Leagues, 6 Emir Cups and 1 Federation Cup.

They were the first-ever Kuwaiti team to play outside Kuwait, by competing in friendly matches against teams through the Arabian Peninsula, showing competitive play. On 3 December 1974 Al-Arabi SC faced Lazio from Italy and beat them 1–0 in a friendly match.

1980–2009

In 1982 Al-Arabi SC was the first-ever team to win Gulf Club…

International

Asian Club Championship Runners-up (1): 1994–95

Regional

Qatar–UAE Super Cup Winners (1): 2023–24

Domestic

Qatar Stars League Champions (7): 1982–83, 1984–85, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97 Emir of Qatar Cup Champions (9): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 2022–23 Qatar Crown Prince Cup Champions (1): 1997 Qatar FA Cup Champions (1) : 2021–22 Qatar Sheikh Jassem Cup Champions (6): 1980, 1982, 1994, 2008, 2010, 2011

League results

65 official trophies

Domestic

Kuwait Premier League: 17 1961–62*, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2020–21 (Runners-up): 16 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1989–90, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2014–15, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26 Kuwaiti Division One: 1 1999–00 Kuwait Emir Cup: 16 1961–62*, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2019–20 (Runners-up): 14 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2008–09, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2024-25 Kuwait Crown Prince Cup: 10 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2025-26 (Runners-up): 6 2002–03, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2019–20, 2024-25 Kuwait Super Cup: 3 2008*, 2012, 2021 (Runners-up): 1 2020 Kuwait Joint League: 5 (defunct) 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1984–85, 1987-88 Kuwait Federation cup: 8 1969–70, 1978–1979, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–2001, 2013–14 (runner-up): 3 2009–10, 2012–13, 2021-22 Al Kurafi Cup: 3 (defunct) 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 (Runners-up): 2 2003–04, 2005–06

Regional

GCC Champions League: 2 1982*, 2003 (Runners-up): 3 1983, 1985, 1994 Arab Champions League / UAFA Cup / Arab Club Championship: (Runners-up): 1 2012–13

Friendlies

Kuwait unofficial league:…