In round 21 on 7/4, Al Sadd defeated Al Sailiya 3-1, while Al Shamal lost 0-2 at Al Shahania Stadium. This extended Al Sadd's lead over Al Shamal to five points.

The championship race seemed decided when Al Shamal lost 0-2 to Qatar SC in a rescheduled round 17 match on 12/4. With this result, Al Sadd maintained a five-point lead over Al Shamal with only one round remaining, officially crowning them champions.

Al Sadd's social media account also posted photos celebrating their 19th national championship. Al Sadd highlighted that this marked their third time winning three consecutive seasons, following streaks in 1978-1979, 1979-1980, 1980-1981; 1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989; and 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026.

Al Sadd's account posted photos celebrating their Qatar National League championship for the 2025-2026 season. Photo: Al Sadd

However, the script quickly changed in an unbelievable turn. In their 2-0 victory over Al Shamal, Qatar SC played with ten men from the end of the first half after Tunisian center-back Ali Saoudi received a direct red card. In the second half, coach Tintin Marquez brought in Argentine center-back Franco Russo to replace forward Ahmed Al-Rawi.

This specific decision became the crux of the issue. According to Qatar Stars League regulations, each team is allowed a maximum of six foreign players on the field. Furthermore, if a foreign player receives a red card, the team cannot replace that position with another foreign player to maintain the limit.

Al Shamal contended that Qatar SC violated the rules with an illegal substitution and filed a complaint. After review, the league organizers accepted the complaint, awarding Al Shamal a disciplinary victory. This decision increased Al Shamal's points to 40, putting them just two points behind Al Sadd.

The championship race has therefore become dramatic, as Al Sadd will face Al Shamal in the final round on 27/4 at 11:30 PM (Hanoi time). From being already crowned champions, coach Roberto Mancini's team now faces a do-or-die final match.

Coach Roberto Mancini has led Al Sadd since 11/2025. Photo: Al Sadd

Al Sadd, founded in 1969, is nicknamed "Al Zaeem" (The Leader). It is the most successful club in Qatari football, holding a record 64 official domestic titles. On the continental stage, they are the only Qatari team to have won the AFC Champions League (formerly the Asian Club Championship).

This season, Al Sadd's squad features head coach Roberto Mancini, who previously managed Man City, Inter Milan, and the Italy national team, as well as former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino. Al Sadd is also aiming for a domestic double, as they are set to face Al Shamal in the National Cup quarterfinals on 1/5.

Hong Duy (according to Bild)