Al-Ittihad Club: History, Rivalries, and Current Stars

There’s something special about a club that has been around since before the country it calls home even existed. Al-Ittihad Club, founded in Jeddah on December 26, 1927, is that club — a living piece of Saudi sports history and the oldest continuously operating sports club in the Kingdom.

Founded: 1927 ·
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City (62,345 capacity) ·
Saudi Pro League titles: 9 ·
AFC Champions League titles: 2

Seven facts, one pattern: Al-Ittihad blends deep roots with modern ownership.

The implication: a club with institutional continuity now backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund — a rare mix of old and new.

Which country is Al-Ittihad Club?

Al-Ittihad Club is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the oldest sports clubs in the country and has deep ties to the Red Sea city’s history.

What is the location of Al-Ittihad Club?

• The club is headquartered in Jeddah, on the western coast of Saudi Arabia (Al-Ittihad FC official site).
• Its home stadium, King Abdullah Sports City, is also located in Jeddah (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad).

Where is Al-Ittihad based?

The club’s administrative base and training facilities are in Jeddah. The city’s football culture has revolved around Al-Ittihad and its cross-town rival Al-Ahli for decades.

The implication: Jeddah’s identity as a trade hub shaped Al-Ittihad’s cosmopolitan founding, making the club a symbol of the city’s openness.

Which is the oldest club in Saudi Arabia?

Al-Ittihad Club is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating sports club in Saudi Arabia. Founded on December 26, 1927, it predates the unification of the Kingdom by nearly five years (Arab News).

When was Al-Ittihad founded?

The official founding date is December 26, 1927 (Al-Ittihad FC official site). Saudipedia, a government encyclopedia, also confirms this date.

What other early clubs existed?

A few clubs were formed earlier but did not survive continuously. Al-Ittihad’s uninterrupted operation since 1927 gives it the claim of oldest surviving club in the country (Arab News).

The founders — Mohammed Saleh Mohammed Salama, Abdulaziz Jameel, Abdullatif Jameel, Abdul Samad Najeeb, Abdullah bin Zaqr, Abdulrazzaq Mohammed Ajlan, and Hamza Abdullah Fitaihi — met in a room near the Jeddah telegraph office to create the club (Al-Ittihad FC official site).

The pattern: Al-Ittihad’s founding before unification gives it a unique historical standing that no other Saudi club can replicate.

What is Al-Ittihad’s biggest rivalry?

Al-Ittihad’s biggest rivalry is with Al-Hilal, known as the Saudi Clasico. This fixture is the most anticipated in the Saudi Pro League, drawing fierce passion from both sets of fans.

Who are Al-Ittihad’s main rivals?

• Al-Hilal — The Riyadh club is the historical and current rival. Matches are called the Saudi Clasico (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad).
• Al-Ahli — Local Jeddah derby, often called the Jeddah Derby (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad).
• Al-Nassr — Another Riyadh club with growing prominence, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad).

What is the Saudi Clasico?

The term “Saudi Clasico” refers specifically to matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. It carries decades of history, with both clubs among the most successful in the country (Saudi Pro League).

The catch: Rivalries are not just about history; they fuel ticket sales and global engagement, especially the Saudi Clasico.

Who is the best player in Al Ittihad?

That depends on how you measure “best.” The current squad includes several high-profile internationals.

What are Al-Ittihad’s top-rated players in EA FC 26?

EA Sports FC 26 ratings (subject to change) list Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho among the top-rated players in the squad. However, actual on-field performance and fan sentiment may differ.

Who are the star players currently?

• Karim Benzema — 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, joined in 2023.
• N’Golo Kanté — World Cup winner with France.
• Fabinho — Former Liverpool midfielder.
• Other key names: Romarinho, Igor Coronado, and Ahmed Hegazi (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad).

What this means: The “best player” debate reflects the club’s mix of legends and new signings, keeping fans engaged.

Is Al-Ittihad a good club?

Yes — by almost any measure, Al-Ittihad is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia and Asia.

What are Al-Ittihad’s achievements?

• 9 Saudi Pro League titles (including the inaugural 2008-09 season and the most recent 2022-23 season) (Saudi Pro League)
• 2 AFC Champions League titles (2004 and 2005) — the only club to have won back-to-back AFC Champions Leagues (Saudi Pro League)
• Multiple King’s Cup titles, including the 1988 win against Al-Ettifaq (Football Wiki – Fandom)
• 4th place at the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad)

How successful is the club?

Al-Ittihad is one of the few Saudi clubs to have spent its entire history in the top flight without ever being relegated (Wikipedia article on Al-Ittihad). Its most successful period was the 1990s and early 2000s, culminating in the back-to-back Asian titles (Saudi Pro League).

The trade-off: historic success now meets the challenge of a league flooded with global superstars. Al-Ittihad’s 2022-23 league win proved it can still compete, but sustaining that level against oil‑rich rivals demands constant investment.

The implication: Al-Ittihad’s legacy gives it a foundation, but the modern league demands reinvestment.

Timeline of key events

• 1927 — Club founded in Jeddah (Al-Ittihad FC official site)
• 1999 — First AFC Champions League title (Saudi Pro League)
• 2005 — Second AFC Champions League title, completed back-to-back (Saudi Pro League)
• 2023 — Won Saudi Pro League, finishing ahead of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League)

The signal: The 2023 title shows that the club can still compete, but sustaining success requires careful planning.

What’s confirmed — and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Founded on December 26, 1927 (Al-Ittihad FC official site)
• 9 Saudi Pro League titles (Saudi Pro League)
• 2 AFC Champions League titles (back-to-back in 2004 & 2005) (Saudi Pro League)

What’s unclear

• Who is the single “best player” — subjective and depends on metrics used.
• Current squad ratings in EA FC 26 are subject to periodic updates.
• Total official championship count varies by source (Football Wiki – Fandom).
• Stadium capacity of 62,345 may not be exact.
• Ownership by Public Investment Fund is based on Wikipedia.

The pattern: While core facts are solid, some details like exact trophy counts and player ratings are fluid.

Voices on the club

“Al-Ittihad FC, one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful clubs.”

— Al-Ittihad FC official site (its own description)

“Al-Ittihad believes it is the Kingdom’s oldest club and notes its official founding date of 1927-12-26, predating modern Saudi unification by nearly five years.”

— Arab News (report on the club’s heritage)

The takeaway: Both the club’s own narrative and external media confirm its historical significance.

The road ahead

Al-Ittihad carries the weight of being Saudi Arabia’s oldest surviving club — a distinction that demands both preservation of legacy and adaptation to a super‑league era. For the club’s supporters in Jeddah, the next five years will test whether historic identity can coexist with the ambition of the Public Investment Fund. The choice is clear: invest wisely in youth development while keeping the stars, or risk being outshone by newer, richer rivals.

Frequently asked questions

The summary: These answers cover the most common questions about Al-Ittihad’s identity, achievements, and practical details.

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