Chelsea opponent outlook: Getting to know Al Hilal SFC

Chelsea ventures into virtually uncharted waters on Wednesday when it takes the stage under the bright lights of Abu Dhabi. The Blues are playing in the FIFA Club World Cup for just the second time in their history this week after securing its place as Champions of Europe.  Being the UEFA Champions League winner comes with a lot of perks (a place in the UEFA Super Cup, automatic qualification the following year, special kit badges, etc.) and the aforementioned competition is seen as the best, appropriately saved for last.

The Club World Cup is a small tournament consisting of seven of the world’s best teams; the six respective federation champions (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA) and one host. The representatives from OFC and the host country enter in the first round. The Asian, African and the North/Central American champions square off in the next round with the winner of round one advancing. Those winning clubs advance to the semifinals, where the European and South American crown holders come into play. Chelsea, being the UEFA representative, plays its first match on Wednesday for a spot in the final. Standing in the Blues’ way is Al Hilal SFC.

Here is a little more about Chelsea’s Club World Cup semifinal opponent, Al Hilal:

1. Who is Al Hilal?

Simply put, Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Football Club) is the most successful club in world football that you’ve probably never heard of before. That is, prior to the build-up to this match. Founded in 1957 as Olympic Club, Al Hilal resides in the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh. Al-Za’eem (the club’s nickname, which translates to ‘The Boss’) competes in the Saudi Professional League (Saudi Arabia’s top flight of football) and is one of only four clubs to have played in the league every year since its creation in 1976. Al Hilal is not only one of the most storied clubs in the league’s history, it is also one of the country’s most successful.

Al-Za’eem has won 64 trophies in as many years since the club’s inception. The title count rises to triple digits if one—looking at you, Tottenham fans—counts silverware won in friendly competitions (36 trophies won via non-competitive contests). Al Hilal has won a record 17 SPL trophies. It has also won 13 Crown Prince Cups (a record), seven Saudi Federation Cups (a record), nine King Cups, three Saudi Super Cups (a record) and even a Saudi Founder’s Cup.

Did I mention the fact that those are just their domestic accolades?

Al Hilal has also won a host of continental cups. Al-Za’eem holds the record for the most international silverware won across the continent with eight Asian Football Confederation titles. The Saudi Arabian giants have won four AFC Champions League trophies (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021), two Asian Cup Winners Cups (1997, 2002) and two Asian Super Cups (1997, 2000). Further adding to the club’s list of awards, Al Hilal was named Best Asian Club of the 20th Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics back in 2009.

This history lesson just goes to show that while the Blues have the edge on paper, Al-Za’eem is no stranger to winning trophies. Al Hilal is not afraid of the big stage and that’ll become evident on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Before the two teams take the pitch though, let’s dive into how the Saudi Arabian club found itself in the FIFA Club World Cup in the first place.