Al-Khor

The founding club in Al Khor started out in 1961 as Al-Taawun, a name that lasted until Qatari authorities recognised it in 1964 and folded in a merger with Nahdi Al-Aswad, swapping the original yellow and white for the blue and white it still wears. The Al-Taawun name stayed in place for four decades, until the Qatar Olympic Committee ordered the switch to Al-Khor Sports Club in 2004.

Silverware has come in short, sharp bursts rather than sustained runs. The Qatar Sheikh Jassem Cup arrived in 2002, beating Qatar SC after extra time, and the Crown Prince Cup followed three years later against Al-Gharafa. Twice the club has needed the Second Division to get back to where it wants to be, winning the title in 1983 and again in 2024.

Against Al-Wakrah, in what is known locally as the Northern Derby, Al-Khor has carried its rivalry as much as its trophies.

The Emir Cup has been the one that got away. Al-Khor reached the final in 1979-80 and lost to Al-Arabi, then went back in 2006-07 only to fall to Al-Sadd on penalties after the sides could not be separated. Promotion in 2024 lasted a single season before Al-Khor went straight back down, and the Emir Cup remains the trophy the Knights have never lifted.