Al-Sadd were sensationally knocked out of the Qatari Stars Cup by lower-division side Al Mesaimeer Club, who won 3-1 on November 28, 2025. This result stands as one of the biggest shocks in the recent history of the competition. Al-Sadd, fielding a strong side, took an early lead and seemed in control. However, Al Mesaimeer fought back bravely, equalizing before halftime and then scoring twice in the second half to stun the champions. The defeat was a major disappointment for Al-Sadd, who had targeted a domestic cup double, while it was a historic night for Al Mesaimeer. The Al-Sadd coach took responsibility for the loss, calling it a "bad day at the office."