Al-Qadsiah 2026 Fixture: Brendan Rodgers Era & Title Challenge

Al Qadsiah FC have turned the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season into one of the league’s most surprising stories. As of February 11, 2026, the club sits 4th with 44 points, riding a nine-match unbeaten streak that has included statement results against Saudi football’s biggest names.

The turning point came in December 2025, when Brendan Rodgers took charge and quickly reshaped Al Qadsiah’s identity. From newcomers to genuine top-four contenders, Fares Al Sharqiya—the “Knight of the East”—are playing with purpose, pace, and a clearer plan than many clubs with bigger histories.

Fares Al Sharqiya: Eastern Province Identity

Al Qadsiah FC are based in Khobar, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a region often overshadowed by the football power centers of Riyadh and Jeddah. That geography matters here, because Al Qadsiah have positioned itself as a club carrying regional pride, not just chasing short-term headlines.

Their nickname, “Fares Al Sharqiya” (Knight of the East), isn’t just branding. It’s a cultural signal—an identity built around representing the East with courage and ambition, especially in a league where attention can lean toward the traditional giants.

The club’s colors—red and yellow—fit that theme. On matchdays, those colors read like a statement: this isn’t a guest season in the Saudi Pro League, it’s a club building a permanent place at the top table.

Saudi Pro League Context: Why Al Qadsiah Matter

In most seasons, the title conversation revolves around a familiar group. But in 2025–26, Al Qadsiah have forced their way into the narrative by taking points and wins off elite opponents and backing it up with consistency.

At 44 points and only six points behind leaders Al Hilal, the gap is small enough to make every match meaningful. The bigger story, though, is not a sudden hot streak—it’s a club that looks structurally stronger week after week.

That’s why searches like “Al Qadsiah,” “Al Qadsiah FC,” and “Al Qadsiah squad 2026” have spiked. Fans aren’t just checking results anymore—they’re trying to understand what this club is becoming.

Saudi Aramco Ownership: The Power Behind the Project

A key reason Al Qadsiah can think long-term is ownership. The club is backed by Saudi Aramco, the world’s most valuable company, and that financial strength shows in how Al Qadsiah operate.

The €68.25m signing of Mateo Retegui from Atalanta is a clear proof point. This wasn’t a symbolic signing—it was a market move that said Al Qadsiah intend to compete for elite talent and elite positions.

Aramco’s backing also changes the club’s credibility in recruitment. It helps attract high-level staff, supports infrastructure plans, and gives the project a stability that many fast-rising clubs struggle to build.

Al Qadsiah Headquarters in Khobar

Al Qadsiah are headquartered in Al-Rakah Neighborhood, Khobar, anchoring the club firmly in the Eastern Province. That local base matters for talent pathways and community connection, especially as the club leans into domestic development alongside international recruitment.

In practical terms, it supports a strategy that blends star signings with long-term squad-building. You see it in contracts that run deep into the decade and in the emphasis on young Saudi players getting meaningful roles.

Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium: Primary Home

Al Qadsiah primarily play at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Khobar. It holds roughly 20,100 fans, and that smaller capacity creates a tighter matchday feel.

For a club building momentum, an intimate home matters. It’s easier to turn the stadium into a “fortress” when the crowd is close and the environment feels personal.

This is also the venue most fans reference when they ask: Where does Al Qadsiah play? The simple answer is Prince Saud Bin Jalawi—especially for standard league fixtures.

Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium: The Bigger Stage

Al Qadsiah also use Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam for selected matches, particularly high-profile fixtures or games expected to draw larger crowds.

This dual-stadium setup offers flexibility across the Khobar–Dammam area. It expands access for Eastern Province supporters and gives the club a larger stage when demand rises.

It’s also relevant immediately: Al Qadsiah vs NEOM SC on Feb 12, 2026 is scheduled at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, reflecting that larger-match planning.

Brendan Rodgers at Al Qadsiah

When Brendan Rodgers took over in December 2025, he didn’t arrive as a ceremonial appointment. He arrived as a coach with a clear idea of how he wants his team to play—and Al Qadsiah have looked more coherent since.

Rodgers brings a résumé that football fans recognize instantly. He has managed in England and Scotland, including a Premier League title-winning era at Leicester City, a near-title season at Liverpool, and trophy dominance at Celtic.

The real relevance is what he has done in Saudi Arabia so far: he has added structure to the attack and demanded what he has called “defensive balance” to support it.

The Rodgers Effect: What Changed

Under Rodgers, Al Qadsiah have adopted a more expansive, youth-including approach while still prioritizing control. The attacking output has jumped, with the team averaging 3.5 goals per game in recent victories, but that doesn’t mean chaos.

The key change is clarity. Roles look defined, the build-up looks more consistent, and the squad choices suggest a long-term plan rather than weekly improvisation.

That balance is why Al Qadsiah are not just winning—they’re staying unbeaten. And in a title race, unbeaten runs often matter more than highlight performances.

Al Qadsiah 2025–26 Standing

As of February 11, 2026:

• League Position: 4th
• Points: 44
• Gap to Al Hilal: 6 points
• Unbeaten Run: 9 league matches

That’s a top-four profile in any league. In the Saudi Pro League, it’s even more meaningful because it signals consistent performance against a variety of styles—deep blocks, high-press teams, and star-heavy opponents.

Al Qadsiah Last Five Matches

Here’s the freshness snapshot that matters most for Google Discover readers: what Al Qadsiah have done recently, and what it tells us.

The sequence is the story: win over Al-Nassr, win over Al-Ittihad, draw with Al Hilal, then a tight 1–0. This is what top-four consistency looks like.

Record Signing: Mateo Retegui

Al Qadsiah’s winter window wasn’t busy for attention—it was busy for impact. The headline is Mateo Retegui, signed from Atalanta for €68.25m, a club-record fee.

Retegui is 26, in his peak years, and arrives as the primary centre-forward option. He is also a clear indicator of direction: this club is investing in prime-age output, not only late-career star power.

Contract: through 30/06/2028
Market value listed: €40.00m
Suspension watch: on 4 yellow cards (one from a ban)

Nacho Fernández and the Leadership Core

Every rising side needs a reference point, and Al Qadsiah have one in Nacho Fernández. The former Real Madrid captain brings elite-level composure and professionalism, especially useful in a squad blending youth and new signings.

At 36, Nacho’s value isn’t about long-term resale. It’s about stability, leadership, and managing difficult phases in matches—something top-four races demand.

Contract: 30/06/2026
Market value listed: €1.80m

Otávio and the Creative Hub

Otávio has one of the most significant “internal league” profiles in the squad, having joined from Al-Nassr. Moves like this matter because they change the balance of experience and knowledge inside the league itself.

He also carries the role Rodgers teams often depend on: the connector who links midfield control to final-third decisions.

Position: Attacking midfield
Age: 31
Market value: €12.00m
Contract: 30/06/2027

Koen Casteels: Goalkeeper of the Year

A top-four push often starts with the goalkeeper. Al Qadsiah have Koen Casteels, a Belgian international who was named 2024–25 RSL Goalkeeper of the Year.

That matters for more than prestige. It signals reliability in tight games like the 1–0 win over Al-Khaleej and helps protect leads when the team is pushing numbers forward.

Age: 33
Market value: €4.00m
Contract: 30/06/2027

Al Qadsiah Attack Options: Quiñones, Carvalho, Bonsu Baah

Al Qadsiah’s forward group has layers, not just one headline name.

• Julián Quiñones (28) provides a different profile alongside Retegui and has been cited as a recent goalscorer in the club’s run.
  • Market value: €12.00m
  • Contract: 30/06/2028
• Gabriel Carvalho (18) is one of the squad’s highest-valued young players, a sign that the club see him as a long-term cornerstone.
  • Market value: €12.00m
• Christopher Bonsu Baah (21) provides direct wing threat and speed, but also carries a discipline watch.
  • Market value: €10.00m
  • Contract: 30/06/2029
  • Suspension watch: 4 yellows

This mix fits the “youth-focused, attacking style” the club has emphasized under Rodgers—without being reckless.

Full Squad Table: Al Qadsiah Players 2026

Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat Assists Impact

If you want one domestic performance signal that explains Al Qadsiah’s rise, it’s Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat.

He is currently 7th in the Saudi Pro League for assists with 6, which matters because high-scoring systems still require consistent delivery from wide and full-back areas.

In a Rodgers setup, attacking full-backs can become key creators. Abu Al-Shamat’s numbers suggest Al Qadsiah aren’t relying on isolated moments—they’re producing chances from structure.

Winter 2026 Transfers: Arrivals and Departures

Al Qadsiah’s winter business reads like a club planning for the next two seasons, not the next two weeks.

Al Qadsiah Arrivals

Al Qadsiah Departures

Strategy read: big striker in, profit sale out, and loans used to balance minutes and depth. That’s a more sustainable pattern than pure spending.

Retegui In, Aubameyang Out: Why It Matters

Moving from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Mateo Retegui isn’t just a “replacement.” It signals a switch in age profile, intensity, and long-term planning.

Retegui arrives at 26 with a contract to 2028, which is a club protecting its investment. Even if the objective is immediate performance, the structure also preserves future value.

Meanwhile, the Equi Fernández sale to Bayer Leverkusen for €25m shows another critical trait: Al Qadsiah aren’t operating like a club that only buys. They are also selling at scale.

Team News: Injury and Suspension Watch

Al Qadsiah do not currently list major long-term injury concerns in the information provided, which is a quiet advantage during a congested schedule.

The immediate watch is discipline:

• Mateo Retegui: 4 yellow cards (one away from suspension)
• Christopher Bonsu Baah: 4 yellow cards (one away from suspension)

For a top-four chase, one-match bans can change outcomes, especially in a run of fixtures where rhythm matters.

Next Up: NEOM SC, Al Akhdood, Al-Ettifaq

Al Qadsiah’s next three fixtures matter because they come in a sequence where top-four teams are expected to take points consistently.

Rodgers has emphasized “defensive balance” ahead of these games, which is the right phrase for this part of the season. When a team is scoring freely, the risk is losing control in transition—especially against opponents who wait for mistakes.

Tactical Snapshot: What Al Qadsiah Look Like Now

Al Qadsiah’s current profile is simple to describe and hard to stop when it’s working.

They want to attack with width and pace, then finish moves with a central striker presence—now anchored by Retegui. When they lose the ball, the priority is recovering shape quickly rather than chasing recklessly.

That’s why the unbeaten run is so important. It suggests the team can play their attacking football without collapsing defensively when games tighten.

Why Al Qadsiah Feel Different in 2026

Many Saudi Pro League clubs have accelerated quickly through big-name recruitment. Al Qadsiah’s difference is how those signings connect to a broader build.

They have a top coach in Brendan Rodgers, a prime-age striker investment in Mateo Retegui, a stable spine with Nacho and Casteels, and young domestic talent like Musab Al-Juwayr developing inside a functional system.

That combination makes the “underdog” angle real. It’s not underdog because they lack resources—it’s underdog because they’re challenging established hierarchy.

FAQs: Al Qadsiah FC

Who is Al Qadsiah’s manager?

Brendan Rodgers has managed Al Qadsiah since December 2025.

Where does Al Qadsiah play home matches?

Al Qadsiah primarily play at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Khobar, and also use Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam for selected fixtures.

What position is Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League?

As of February 11, 2026, Al Qadsiah are 4th with 44 points.

Who owns Al Qadsiah FC?

Al Qadsiah are owned by Saudi Aramco.

How much did Al Qadsiah pay for Mateo Retegui?

Al Qadsiah signed Mateo Retegui from Atalanta for €68.25m.

What is Al Qadsiah’s unbeaten streak?

Al Qadsiah are unbeaten in their last nine league matches.

Who is Al Qadsiah’s goalkeeper?

Koen Casteels is the starting goalkeeper and was named 2024–25 RSL Goalkeeper of the Year.