Al-Ettifaq FC

History

Humble beginning (1941–1953)

Before the establishment of Al-Ettifaq as a professional sports club that also managed football, there were three clubs in the city of Dammam that were founded in 1941. Al-Taawoun (different from Al-Taawoun from Buraydah city), Al-Sha'ab and Al-Shabab. These clubs practiced their own sporting activities and gathered people across the region; however, these clubs gained little revenue for the sport activity to continue.

4 years later, in 1945, the presidents of the club and its staff met in Faris Al-Hamid's house, the ministry of sport at the time. There, they discussed a solution for their problems, and resulted in the merge all three clubs in Dammam into one single unified club. The ministry would fund the newly merged club and get its share of ownership. Al-Hamid also suggested to name the new club as "Al-Ettifaq" (الاتفاق al-ittifāq), which meant "the agreement" in Arabic.

The club's original color would also change, becoming green and white, which eventually changed into green and red afterwards. Some time later Mohammed Hassan Khairi from Sudan became the new club manager. In the early years of the club, the energetic and ambitious coach from Africa started to reform the sport club from Dammam.

First King Cup and Crown Prince Cup (1954–1971)

Al-Ettifaq saw some success in the domestic championship of the 1960s. A key reason for this achievement was the decision to sign the most prolific Ettifaqi player, Khalil Al-Zayani, in 1962. Zayani graduated from youth team Academy, as a wingback/centerback (defender) at just 15 years old. At the time, a nationwide football league was not yet established and regional leagues and tournaments were only held occasionally. Nevertheless, the manager's decision to entrust the defense role to Zayani proved successful, as the club was able to reach the final of the 1963 Crown Prince Cup.

Al-Ettifaq faced their final opponent in the national tournament, Al-Ittihad in their home ground (Jeddah). Loud cheers echoes from the opposing supporters after Al-Ettifaq defeated 6–2. The club run for 1963 King Cup is less successful from their Crown Prince Run. 1963-1964 Saudi Season end with Al-Ittihad securing their double title again after defeating their rival Al-Hilal.

The Khalil Al-Zayani was tested once again in 1964-1965 Saudi football season, when the barely 16 years old defender was selected by Khairi as the squad’s captain. Khairi encouraged the squad to aim high for the new record, he wanted for his coached player to raise occasional Regional League cup, King Cup and Crown Prince Cup at the same time or as we know as "treble".

The 17 years old Defender captain walked his first step to become nation football champion, when he secured his club back at the final match Crown Prince Cup against Al-Ittihad at the same pitch, avenging their defeat almost 3 years earlier. However Ettifaq failed to win the King Cup on that season in which Al-Ahli from the same city as Al-Ittihad went victorious.

In 1964-1965 Saudi Season even though Ettifaq won a national trophy, they fall short to achieve their treble goal. Meanwhile, for the young Zayani, around this time he is scouted to be part of Saudi National Team. Some of Ettifaq player also constitute part of the Eastern Team who compete under Crown Prince Cup new regulation and they managed to reach final in 1966-1967 Saudi Season.

On 1966 King Cup, in the final Al Ettifaq defeated by Al-Wehda and in 1967 King Cup, tasted defeat again by Al-Ittihad. For the third times in a row reaching final, Al-Ettifaq finally raise their first ever King Cup after defeating the defending champion in previous tournament. On the next seasons however, Al-Ettifaq defeated by new challenger and Al-Ahli become the winner of King Cup in that season. Hassan Khairi retired from the club activity after coaching Ettifaqi player for over 1 decade.

Champion from Dammam (1972–1989)

After Khairi and Zayani departure, Al-Ettifaq never the reach the final of national tournament. Slowly the condition inside the club become worrisome, Saudi Ministry of Sport then offer the 29 years old retired ex-player, to coach the club and also prepare the club for implementation of planned national league. Al-Ettifaq would be main representation from the city of Dammam.

Zayani agree to step up and took managerial role. At this time nationwide league are newly established with 8 clubs registered. Al-Ettifaq only eligible to play in second-tier of the Saudi League, First Division League and only able to make into 2nd place just behind Al-Nahda. The winner and runner-up at that time are promoted into Saudi Premier League.

Al-Ettifaq are promoted in the second edition of the league in 1977-1978 Saudi Premier League. In their first run in highest tier of league national, Al-Ettifaq finish 3rd place behind Al-Nassr in 2nd place and Al-Hilal as league champion. In the 1978–1979, Al Ettifaq finish in 6th position, 1979-1980 they finish again the same position and in 1981-1982 Ettifaqi finish in 5th position. In this period the club never won any single competition for over a decade except for getting promotion into Saudi Premier League.

Regardless of the setbacks, Zayani still confident to continue his predecessor ambition to secure the treble for club. The former defender began to implemented new tactics and shaping new core player, once the majority squad from 1970s started to retiring. His new winning strategy are applied by promising academy players promoted from the youth teams.

The club new youth players catch the attention of the nation when 1982–83 Saudi Premier League began on 16 December 1982. Some of the most recognized forwards such as Jamal Mohammad and Omar Bakhashwain made their debut in this season. Al-Ettifaq are undefeated in their run by the end of season in April 1983. First Saudi football club to ever do so. The club had nine wins and eight draws with a match left to conclude the season. Going into the final matchday, Al-Hilal were leading the table with 1 point ahead of Al-Ettifaq.

The two teams would face their city rivals in the final matchday on separate days. On 7 April 1983, Al-Ettifaq defeated Al-Nahda 2–0. This meant that Al-Hilal needed just a draw against Al-Nassr to secure the title, as they were ahead of Al-Ettifaq on goal difference as well. On 8 April 1983, Al-Nassr defeated Al-Hilal 2–1 to hand Al-Ettifaq their first league title. Al-Ettifaq also became the first team from Dammam to win the title. Khalil Al-Zayani also became the first Saudi Arabian manager to win the league title and Jamal Muhammad managed to reach 3rd position in top scorer table behind Khalid Al-Ma'ajil in 2nd place and Majeed Abdullah as the league golden boot winner.

Honours

Saudi Premier League: (tier 1)

Champions: 1982–83, 1986–87

Runners-up: 1987–88, 1991–92

Saudi First Division League: (tier 2):

Champions: 2015–16

Runners-up: 1976–77

King's Cup:

Champions: 1968, 1985

Runners-up: 1965, 1966, 1983, 1988

Crown Prince's Cup:

Champions: 1965

Runners-up: 1963, 2000–01, 2007–08, 2011–12

Saudi Federation Cup:

Champions: 1990–91, 2002–03, 2003–04

Runners-up: 1986–87, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2004–05

General League Shield

Runners-up: 1968–69

Arab Club Champions Cup:

Champions: 1984, 1988

GCC Champions League:

Champions: 1983, 1988, 2006

Runners-up: 2007

Players

As of 15 August 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Managerial history

Note: The table is currently being updated.

Performance in AFC competitions

Asian Club Championship: 1 appearance

Asian Club Championship 1989:

Qualifying Round: Al Ettifaq qualified to the Asian Club Championship after winning the GCC Champions League, ending top of the group that consisted of Kazma (Kuwait), Al Sharjah (UAE), Fanja (Oman), and West Riffa (Bahrain).

Semi-final (group stage): Al Ettifaq finished second in their group after losing their penultimate game against the eventual champions, Qatari side Al-Sadd (2–1) in a highly controversial game. Apart from the two clubs, the group contained April 25 SC (North Korea), Mohammedan SC (Bangladesh), and Pahang (Malaysia).

AFC Champions League: 2 appearances

AFC Champions League 2009:

Group Stage – Round of 32: Al Ettifaq was arguably one of the best performers in the group stage after finishing top of the group with 12 points. They won 4 games, lost 2, and scored 15 goals in 6 games, recording the third best attacking stats in the continent in that round. Al Ettifaq were placed in Group D along FC Bunyodkor (led by Brazilian ace Rivaldo), Sepahan Isfahan, and Al Shabab (UAE).

Round of 16: Al Ettifaq were knocked from the Round of 16 against Pakhtakor (UZB). After leading 1–0 at halftime, they conceded two late goals that ended their hopes in qualifying to the quarter-final.

AFC Champions League 2012:

The draw was held on 6 December 2011 in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Al Ettifaq were placed in the second round of the qualifying stages, playing against the winner of the two Iranian sides: Esteghlal Tehran FC and Zob Ahan Isfahan FC.

International competitions

Overview

As of 1 May 2013