Al-Qadsiah Saudi Club is one of the oldest and most respected football clubs in Saudi Arabia. The club sits in Khobar, in the heart of the Eastern Province. Today, Al-Qadsiah competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of Saudi football.

Fans know the team as Fares Al Sharqiyah (Knight of the East) and Fakhr Al Sharqiyah (Pride of the Eastern Province). These names reflect a long bond between the club and its region.

A Club With Deep Roots

Al-Qadsiah was officially founded in 1967. Its story, however, started even earlier. Young men from Khobar who worked with Aramco formed early teams back in the 1930s and 1940s. Those teams later merged and grew into the club fans support today.

Clearly, this makes Al-Qadsiah one of the founding forces of football in the Eastern Province. The club has taken part in the Saudi top flight since the league began in the 1976–77 season.

Where Al-Qadsiah Plays

The club’s main home is the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Khobar. For selected fixtures, the team also plays at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. Moreover, a modern new home, the planned Aramco Stadium in Khobar, is set to raise the club’s profile even further.

Trophies and Honours

Al-Qadsiah has lifted several major trophies across its history. Key honors include:

Crown Prince Cup champions: 1991–92
Saudi Federation Cup champions: 1993–94
First Division League champions: 2001–02, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2023–24

Most importantly, the 2023–24 First Division title sent the club back to the Saudi Pro League and opened a bold new chapter.

A New Era Under Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco acquired Al-Qadsiah in the summer of 2023. As a result, the club gained the backing to compete with the biggest names in Saudi football.

The impact came fast. In the 2024–25 season, Al-Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League and reached the King’s Cup final. The team also recorded the league’s best defense that year.

Star Players and Leadership

Brendan Rodgers leads the team as head coach. The squad mixes global stars with rising Saudi talent. Notable names include:

Mateo Retegui, a record-breaking striker signed from Atalanta
Nacho Fernández, former Real Madrid captain
Koen Casteels, named Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024–25
Nahitan Nández, Julián Quiñones, and Julian Weigl
Musab Al-Juwayr, a promising young Saudi midfielder

What’s more, this blend of experience and youth gives the club a strong base for the future.

More Than Football

Al-Qadsiah is a true multi-sport club. Beyond football, it supports around twelve sporting activities. These include futsal, handball, basketball, swimming, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.

In addition, the club runs the Al-Qadsiah Saudi Women’s Football Team, which plays in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.