Qatar Stars League (QSL)
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) is the top-tier professional football league in Qatar.
Founded in 1963, it is one of the oldest competitions in the Middle East and has grown rapidly in global influence—especially after Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
History and facts
The league began in 1963–64 and became fully professional in the mid-2000s. Qatar’s major clubs such as Al-Sadd, Al-Rayyan, Al-Duhail, and Al-Gharafa have traditionally dominated the competition.
The QSL has attracted world-class players and coaches including Xavi Hernández, Raúl, Santi Cazorla, Wesley Sneijder, James Rodríguez, and coaches like Michael Laudrup.
Qatar also became the first Middle Eastern country to host the FIFA World Cup, in 2022, which significantly boosted football infrastructure and investment.
League system
The Qatar Stars League consists of 12 clubs.
Relegation leads to the Qatari Second Division, with promotion playoff systems used in some seasons.
Table 1. Qatar football league pyramid
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Qatar Stars League | 1 |
| Qatari Second Division | 2 |
| Amateur & Community Leagues | 3+ |
Qatar also hosts prestigious tournaments like the Emir Cup and Qatari Stars Cup.
Stats
Teams with most Qatar Stars League titles
Table 2. Most QSL titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Al-Sadd | 16 |
| Al-Duhail | 8 |
| Al-Rayyan | 8 |
| Al-Gharafa | 7 |
| Qatar SC | 6 |
Al-Sadd is the clear dominant force in Qatari football history.
Teams with most top-division participation
Table 3. Clubs with most seasons in QSL
| Club | Participation |
|---|---|
| Al-Sadd | 50+ |
| Al-Rayyan | 50+ |
| Al-Gharafa | 45+ |
| Qatar SC | 45+ |
| Al-Arabi | 40+ |
These clubs have been the backbone of Qatari football for decades.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major stadiums in the Qatar Stars League
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Sadd | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium | 15,000 |
| Al-Duhail | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium | 10,000 |
| Al-Rayyan | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | 45,000 |
| Al-Arabi | Grand Hamad Stadium | 13,000 |
| Al-Gharafa | Thani bin Jassim Stadium | 21,175 |
Players
Famous players in QSL history
- Xavi Hernández
- Raúl González
- Santi Cazorla
- James Rodríguez
- Wesley Sneijder
- Mario Mandžukić
- Samuel Eto’o
- Yacine Brahimi
- Baghdad Bounedjah
Qatar Stars League timeline
1963
Qatar Stars League is established.
2004
League enters modern professional era.
2011
Al-Sadd wins AFC Champions League.
2022
Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup, transforming national football.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Stars_League
https://www.qsl.qa
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Stars_League
https://www.qsl.qa
https://www.rsssf.org
