Hamdallah joins Al-Hilal, set for potential debut against Fluminense in World Cup

Al-Hilal, the Saudi club facing Fluminense in the 2025 Club World Cup quarterfinals, announced on Wednesday, July 2, the signing of 34-year-old Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah on loan from Al-Shabab. The move took place in Orlando, USA, where the tournament is being held. The transfer was enabled by a Fifa rule allowing up to two new player registrations between June 27 and July 3, facilitated by the Saudi Football Federation’s decision to advance the transfer window. Hamdallah, who will wear the No. 10 jersey, is a strategic addition to cover for injured stars Aleksandar Mitrović and Salem Al-Dawsari and could debut against Fluminense on Friday, July 4. The signing heightens anticipation for the matchup at Camping World Stadium at 4 p.m., promising a pivotal moment for both teams.

Al-Hilal’s swift move to sign Hamdallah underscores their ambition to claim the Club World Cup title, a first for Saudi football. The striker, renowned for his clinical finishing, has already joined the squad and trained in Orlando, as shown by Saudi broadcaster Ariyadhiah. The rapid deal highlights the club’s focus on strengthening their attack for the Fluminense clash, a team riding high after an upset win over Inter Milan.

• Impressive stats: Hamdallah scored 24 goals and provided four assists in 30 games last season for Al-Shabab.
• Top scorer history: He led the Saudi League in goals in 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2022-23.
• Global experience: He has played for Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, cementing his status in Arab football.

The signing also marks a fresh start for Hamdallah, who faced controversy after being whipped by a fan following a loss to Al-Hilal in the 2024 Saudi Super Cup. Now, he dons the jersey of his former rival.

Hamdallah first talk 🎤pic.twitter.com/Wve9WlD8PO

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) July 2, 2025

Journey of a prolific scorer

Abderrazak Hamdallah began his career at Olympic Safi in Morocco before shining in Europe with Aalesund in Norway in 2013. His Asian journey started at Guangzhou City in China, followed by stints in Qatar with El Jaish and Al-Rayyan. Since joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2018, Hamdallah has established himself as a top striker in the region.

At Al-Nassr, he became a scoring sensation, netting 34 goals in the 2018-19 season. His time at Al-Ittihad from 2021 to 2023 was equally prolific, with 21 goals in the 2022-23 Saudi League. At Al-Shabab last season, he maintained a near goal-per-game ratio, catching Al-Hilal’s eye for the Club World Cup.

Known for his finishing and positioning, Hamdallah has also had moments of fiery temperament, like the 2024 fan incident. His experience in high-stakes matches, however, makes him a key asset for Al-Hilal as they aim to defeat Fluminense and reach the semifinals.

Saudi strategy for the World Cup

Hamdallah’s signing wasn’t a standalone move. Coached by Italian Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal capitalized on a Fifa rule allowing new registrations for the quarterfinals, a new feature in the 2025 Club World Cup to boost competitiveness.

Other clubs also used the special window. Chelsea, for instance, registered former Fluminense striker João Pedro from Brighton. The ability to make tactical adjustments in later stages has sparked debate, but for Al-Hilal, Hamdallah’s arrival addresses the absence of Mitrović and Al-Dawsari, vital attacking players.

Fresh off a 4-3 extra-time upset over Manchester City in the round of 16, Al-Hilal is brimming with confidence. The win, powered by Brazilian stars like Marcos Leonardo, Malcom, and Renan Lodi, has positioned the Saudi club as a title contender. Hamdallah’s signing bolsters their chances against a Fluminense side that stunned Inter Milan.

Role of the Saudi federation

The speed of Hamdallah’s transfer was made possible by the Saudi Football Federation. On July 2 morning, Al-Hilal requested an early opening of the transfer window, initially set to start after Fifa’s deadline. The request was approved within hours, allowing the club to register Hamdallah within the June 27 to July 3 window.

This move reflects Al-Hilal’s influence in Saudi football. Nicknamed “The Boss,” the club is Asia’s most decorated, with 70 titles, including four AFC Champions League crowns. In 2024, under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, Al-Hilal won the Saudi Treble, securing the Pro League, King’s Cup, and Super Cup.

• Extended window: The Saudi transfer window, opened on July 2, runs until September 10.
• Heavy investment: In 2023, the club spent over €350 million on signings, including Neymar and Malcom.
• World record: In 2024, Al-Hilal achieved 34 consecutive wins, a global milestone.

Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal: a historic clash

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The Fluminense-Al-Hilal matchup on Friday, July 4, will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Fluminense, facing their eighth new opponent in 2025, enters buoyed by their Inter Milan victory but faces a reinforced Al-Hilal. The quarterfinal will determine the semifinal opponent, either Palmeiras or Chelsea.

Led by Renato Gaúcho, Fluminense relies on veterans like Fábio and Jhon Arias but will confront an Al-Hilal squad blending local talent with global stars. Beyond Hamdallah, the Saudi side features Marcos Leonardo, formerly of Santos, and Malcom, ex-Corinthians, who shone against Manchester City.

Brazilian fans, especially Fluminense supporters, are closely watching Hamdallah’s debut, which could tip the scales. The Camping World Stadium in Orlando will host a high-intensity, emotional clash, broadcast live on CazéTV and Disney+.

Hamdallah’s numbers and achievements

Hamdallah’s Saudi career is remarkable. Since joining Al-Nassr in 2018, he has played 223 matches, contributing to 237 goals with 199 scored and 38 assists. These figures rank him as the third-highest scorer in Saudi League history, behind only Majed Abdullah and Nasser Al-Shamrani.

Last season at Al-Shabab, he was the league’s third-top scorer with 21 goals, tied with Karim Benzema and trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 25. His knack for deciding games makes him a significant threat to Fluminense, especially in a tournament where every goal counts.

Al-Hilal’s global dominance

Al-Hilal is not just a Saudi powerhouse but an Asian giant. Founded in 1957, the club holds the record for continental titles in Asia with eight AFC trophies, including four Champions Leagues. In 2023, they reached the Club World Cup final but lost 5-3 to Real Madrid.

Their 2025 elimination of Manchester City marked the first time an Asian club defeated a European side in the tournament’s knockout stages. Led by players like Marcos Leonardo, the achievement has fueled Al-Hilal’s confidence heading into the Fluminense match.

Preparation in Orlando

Al-Hilal’s squad has been in Orlando since the tournament began, adapting to the U.S. climate and time zone. Hamdallah, who arrived on Wednesday, joined team activities under Simone Inzaghi’s guidance. The Italian coach is banking on the Moroccan’s experience to maintain the team’s attacking momentum.

The Camping World Stadium, with a capacity of about 60,000, will host the match, expecting a strong turnout of Brazilian and Saudi fans. The game is also drawing global attention, with Al-Hilal aiming to reach the Club World Cup semifinals for only the second time.

Other Club World Cup highlights

The 2025 Club World Cup has been full of surprises. Alongside Al-Hilal’s Manchester City upset, Fluminense’s win over Inter Milan shocked fans. In the other quarterfinals, Palmeiras faces Chelsea, while PSG and Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, respectively. Held in the U.S., the tournament is attracting millions of viewers worldwide.

The Fluminense-Al-Hilal winner faces a tougher semifinal challenge, but for now, the focus is on Friday’s clash. Hamdallah’s arrival adds unpredictability, while Fluminense bets on resilience to keep making history.