KSAsportz report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s head coach Hervé Renard has announced a 27-man squad for the Green Falcons’ upcoming training camp in the Czech Republic, which is a crucial step in preparations for the Asian playoff round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for October. According to FIFA statistics, Saudi Arabia has qualified for the World Cup finals six times, making this attempt particularly significant for the national team.
The training camp will take place from August 31 to September 8 and includes two friendly matches, aiming to bolster the players’ readiness ahead of competitive play.
The Green Falcons will first face North Macedonia on September 4 at the Viktoria Žižkov Stadium in Prague, followed by a match against the host nation, the Czech Republic, on September 8 at Malšovická Arena in Hradec Králové.
This squad showcases a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talent. Veteran players include captain Salem Al-Dawsari, midfielder Mohamed Kanno, and striker Saleh Al-Shehri, who will be complemented by younger players such as Musab Al Juwayr, Marwan Al-Sahafi, and Jihad Zekri.
The goalkeeping contingent features Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdulrahman Al-Sanabi, Mohamed Al-Yami, and Osama Al-Marmash. Notable defenders in the lineup consist of Hassan Tambakti, Ali Majrashi, and Nasser Al-Dawsari. Midfield choices include Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Ziyad Al-Juhani—Franck Kessié’s teammate at Al Ahli—and Abdulrahman Al-Obud.
Forwards Ayman Yahya, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, and Firas Al-Buraikan round out the squad’s attacking options.
The national team is scheduled to depart Riyadh for Prague on Sunday, August 31, from King Khalid International Airport. Coach Renard’s strategy during this camp is to enhance the players’ physical and tactical capabilities ahead of the playoff fixtures in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia will face Iraq and Indonesia in their quest for World Cup qualification.