Al Ahli step up preparations for new season under coach Borja Jimenez
Al Ahli are continuing their preparations for the 2026-27 season with a training camp in Austria, where new head coach Borja Jimenez is overseeing the club’s tactical and technical work ahead of the Doha Bank Stars League campaign.
The camp, which runs from July 21 to Aug. 9, follows the club’s initial pre-season programme in Doha and marks the first preparations under the Spanish coach, who succeeded Younes Ali.
Al Ahli have played three friendly matches during the camp, recording one win, one draw and one defeat. They beat Austrian side Mistelbach FC 2-0, drew 3-3 with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and lost 3-0 to fellow Saudi club Al Shabab.
The Doha-based club finished ninth in the 2025-26 Stars League with 26 points after winning eight matches, drawing two and losing 12. They scored 34 goals and conceded 43.
Despite their league finish, Al Ahli enjoyed success in cup competitions, defeating Al Jazira to win the Qatar-UAE Super Cup Challenge Cup in Abu Dhabi and reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two.
The club have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud from Al Duhail, Dutch player Don Oniel, Panama international Yosafer Lenis, midfielder Luis Martin and winger Suhaib Gannan. They join an established squad featuring Julian Draxler, Driss Fettouhi, Michel Vlap and Erik Exposito.
Al Ahli will open their 2026-27 Stars League season against defending champions Al Sadd at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Aug. 22.
