In 2020 after playing two matches the competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and after seven months it was decided to complete the competition, but behind closed doors and grouped in one country which is Qatar for West Asian groups. Al-Duhail SC as the holder of the 2019–20 Qatar Stars League title, was included in participating in the FIFA Club World Cup and the first match was expected against Auckland City but the latter withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures required by the New Zealand authorities, and in the second round it was defeated against Al Ahly, so that Al-Duhail SC was finished fifth place by defeating Asian champion Ulsan Hyundai. In 2021 and due to the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, it was decided to establish each group in a country, and Al-Duhail group in Saudi Arabia. for the second time in a row Al-Duhail was eliminated from the group stage. On April 21, 2021, Michael Olunga scored Al-Duhail's first hat-trick in the AFC Champions League against Esteghlal in a victory 4–3.