JEDDAH — In a move signaling Italian coach Roberto Mancini's intent to enhance the Saudi national team's performance by refreshing the squad, the latest list features several young talents ahead of the third and fourth rounds of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The announcement of the squad comes as the team prepares for two crucial matches: the first against Japan on October 10 and the second against Bahrain on October 15. Both matches will take place at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Notably absent from the lineup are players from Al Hilal, including goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, defender Ali Al Bulayhi, fullback Muteb Al Harbi, and midfielders Mohammed Kanno and Abdullah Al Hamdan. Also missing is striker Fahd Al-Muwallad, who has been in a coma for nearly three weeks. The new additions to the squad include Hamed Al-Ghamdi and Ali Al-Asmari, reflecting Mancini's vision to inject fresh talent capable of making a significant impact. The 28-man squad features goalkeepers Ahmed Al-Kassar, Mohammed Al-Yami, Raghed Najjar, and Hamed Youssef. The defense comprises young talents such as Meshal Khairallah, Awn Al-Saluli, Ali Lajami, Hasan Tambakti, Hassan Kadish, Rayan Hamid, Saud Abdulhamid, and Sultan Al-Ghanam. In midfield, standout players include Ali Al-Asmari, Hamed Al-Ghamdi, Musab Al-Juwair, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Abdulilah Al-Malki, Hussain Al-Sibyani, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Ayman Yahya, Abdulrahman Gharib, Mohammed Marran, Salem Al-Dawsari, Faisal Al-Ghamdi, and Nasser Al-Dawsari. The attacking line features Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Abdullah Radeef. These changes in the squad illustrate Mancini's strategy aimed at enhancing flexibility and adaptability to various challenges the team may face in international competitions. The primary goal of these selections is to build a balanced team that combines experience with youth, enabling the squad to achieve the necessary equilibrium and cohesion for success on the global stage. Currently, the Saudi national team ranks second in Group C with four points, just two points behind the leading Japan. The upcoming matches are crucial in determining the team's trajectory in the qualifiers. The ambitions are high, and the challenges are significant; however, with the chosen names and strategy in place, the Saudi team can aim for positive results that will enhance its standing internationally and bring it closer to the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, the Saudi team, under the leadership of Italian coach Roberto Mancini, will begin its training camp for these matches on October 6, following the conclusion of the sixth round of the Roshan Saudi League. So far, the national team has played two matches in the Asian qualifiers, earning four points from a draw with Indonesia in Jeddah (1-1) and a victory against China away (2-1).
