Arguably Qatar’s most popular club; Al Rayyan SC was founded in 1967 with the announcement by the Al Rayyan Sports Committee that it would merge with Al Nusoor, a local sports club.

The club had success in the Qatar Stars League within the first decade of its formation, with the club participating in their first official season in 1972–73. They first won the league in 1976. In the 1977 season.

They went on to win their second title in 1978. During this period, Al Rayyan dominated the league along with Al Arabi and Al Sadd.

They won the league with a negative goal difference in 1983–84, making them one of the only 6 teams in the world and the only Qatari team in history to achieve this feat

In the 1987–88 season, much to the surprise of critics and fans, they got relegated for the first time in league history. They won back promotion to the premier league in their first season in the second division. They would go on to win the league in 1990.