Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan

Analysis Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan
Above, football action during a friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria last month, which ended in a draw. (X: @SaudiNT_EN)
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Updated 15 November 2023
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Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan

Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan
  • Italian coach has had a disappointing start as Green Falcons boss, with a draw and three losses in four friendlies

On Thursday, it will be six days short of one year since Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup.

It also marks the start of qualification campaign for the 2026 tournament at home against Pakistan, with a tricky trip to Jordan to follow on Nov. 21.

Tomorrow’s opposition may not be as glamorous as the South Americans, who went all the way to lift the trophy, but nothing short of three points will be acceptable.

The standard of opponent for this first-time meeting is not the only thing that has changed from year ago, with Herve Renard having left in March to take over the France women’s team. The Frenchman led Saudi Arabia through qualification for Qatar 2022 in impressive fashion, though it started with a bit of a wobble and a 2-2 draw against Yemen in September 2019.

Now, four years and two months later, it is the turn of another European coach.

Roberto Mancini has been in place since August and needs a win, as results in the friendlies since then have not been encouraging. The former Manchester City boss, who left his job in charge of European champions Italy to head to Riyadh, has lost three and drawn one of his four games so far, though six of the seven before he arrived had also been defeats.

Under the Italian, the standard of friendly opposition has been relatively high: The defeats came against Costa Rica, South Korea and Mali, with the stalemate against Nigeria. However, it goes without saying that nothing less than a win will do on Thursday in Al-Ahsa.

Anything else would be as big a surprise as that victory over Argentina. This is, on paper at least, the easiest game the Green Falcons will have on the road to North America — a home tie against a team ranked 193, a full 136 spots below. A good start is essential ahead of a tricky trip to Jordan next Tuesday. It should at least end the winless streak and the talk around that.

Thursday is the start of the second round of qualification and the first time that Asia’s big boys step into the fray. The 36 teams have been divided into nine groups of four, with the top two from each going through to the final round. There, the successful 18 teams will battle it out for Asia’s eight automatic places.

The doubling of the continent’s allocation should make it easier for Saudi Arabia to add to the six previous appearances, though this week South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann said that expanding the number of spots will motivate all teams to fight harder than usual and go right to the end.

That remains to be seen, but to be one of the 48 to clinch a seventh World Cup appearance is obviously the target for Saudi Arabia. Mancini will be without his star player Salem Al-Dawsari, the match-winner against Argentina. The winger, named as the Asian Player of the Year last month, is doubtful due to an ankle injury sustained in Al-Hilal’s 2-0 win over Al-Taawoun last Friday. It is a blow, with the 32 year-old becoming increasingly influential as the Blues have gone to the top of the table. His team-mate and namesake Nasser Al-Dawsari is also out.

However, the real talking point is the relatively young and inexperienced squad named by Mancini, with most having fewer than 10 appearances. Even Talal Hajji, a 16-year-old forward from Al-Ittihad, has been selected. The likes of Firas Al-Buraikan — the leading Saudi Arabian goalscorer in the league recently — Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Sultan Al-Ghannam are absent.

It is a bold squad and bold statement that has resulted in some criticism from the local media for Mancini, who is looking to build for the future, including a likely home World Cup in 2034.

First, though, are Pakistan, a team that won their first World Cup qualifier just last month, with a 1–0 victory over Cambodia, and will be keen to avoid heavy defeat against an Asian powerhouse. The lineup includes a number of European-based players, such as former Manchester United youth player Otis Khan. Coach Stephen Constantine knows his way around Asia, but also knows that he will not be judged on what happens in Saudi Arabia.

Mancini will not be judged on what happens against Pakistan — unless the unthinkable happens — as tougher tests lie ahead. For the Italian and Saudi Arabia, the road to North America starts here, and it could be quite a ride.


Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood

Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood
Updated 29 September 2024
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Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood

Al-Hilal top Saudi Pro League after win over Al-Kholood
  • Reigning champions are the only club with a perfect record after five wins from five matches

RIYADH: Champions Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Saudi Pro League table after beating Al-Kholood 4-2 in Rass on Saturday night.

The visitors surged into a four-goal lead in a devastating 10 -minute period either side of half-time thanks to goals from Khalidou Koulibaly (38), Malcom (43), Ali Al-Bulaihi (45+3) and Renan Lodi (48),

Al-Kholood belatedly rallied to half the deficit with goals from Hammam Al-Hammami (71) and William Troost-Ekong (penalty, 87) which ultimately proved nothing more than consolation efforts.

Al-Hilal now lead the table with 15 points from five matches and are the last team in the Saudi Pro League with a perfect start to the 2024-2025 season.

In the day’s other matches visitors Al-Okhdood beat Al-Fateh 4-2 in Al-Mubarraz, while Al-Orobah managed a narrow 1-0 win over Damac at home.


Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla

Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla
Updated 28 September 2024
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Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla

Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla
  • Al-Shabab overcame Al-Taraji 4-0 while Al-Ahli comprehensively beat Al-Amal 6-2

RIYADH: Reigning champions Al-Nassr kicked off their defense of the Saudi Women’s Premier League title with a 3-1 win over AlUla in Riyadh on Friday night.

It was one of three matches that got the 2024-25 season underway, with AlUla shocking the home team when they took the lead through Jaine Lemke on 23 minutes. However, Clara Luvanga equalized for Al-Nassr five minutes later to ensure the teams went into half-time on level terms.

Second half goals from Ruth Kipoyi (52) and Lina Boussaha (64) completed Al-Nassr’s comeback.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabab defeated Al-Taraji 4-0 at Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Al-Qatif with goals from Fatima Al-Sadah (9), Nataša Andonova (40, 63) and Al-Bandari Mubarak (76).

In Friday’s third match, Al-Ahli completed a comprehensive 6-2 win over Al-Amal at King Fahad Sport City Stadium in Taif to top the table with two more matches remaining in the opening round.

Al-Ahli’s goals came from a hat-trick by Naomie Kabakaba (11, 18, 87) and one each by Elodie Nakkach (45), Ayah Al-Majali (64) and Alice Kusi (71). Al-Amal’s consolation strikes came from Mariam Sidibe (74) and Stephanie Gbogou Tape (85).

On Saturday night, Al-Hilal will welcome Eastern Flames to Inaya Medical Colleges Stadium in Riyadh, while Al-Ittihad will play host to Al-Qadsiah in Jeddah.


Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal
Updated 25 September 2024
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Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal

RIYADH: Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to play for Al-Hilal, the club’s head coach has announced.
The Brazilian star signed for the Riyadh team in August 2023 but played just five games when he underwent surgery after rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on international duty in October.
After Neymar, 32, returned to training in July, speculation grew that he was close to a return but coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations in a post-match media conference.
“Neymar is an important player for Al-Hilal and the league in general,” Jesus, who led Al-Hilal to a 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “I can’t, however, specify a date as to when he will return but we will look at the situation in January.”
Neymar will be able to be registered by Al-Hilal in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League (SPL ) season.
With SPL teams allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the roster for the first half of the league campaign was taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica earlier in September.
Upon return to fitness Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, is eligible, however, to appear in Al-Hilal’s ongoing AFC Champions League Elite campaign as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.


Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
Updated 25 September 2024
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Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
  • Head of General Entertainment Authority says channel, due to launch by end of year, will include exclusive programming including interviews, daily reports and match coverage
  • It will expand Al-Hilal’s international reach in 200 countries served by streaming platform DAZN and ‘generate significant revenue’ for the club, adds Turki Alalshikh

RIYADH: Riyadh Season is sponsoring Al-Hilal’s soon-to-launch TV channel on the global sports and entertainment streaming platform DAZN, the chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, has revealed.

As part of the agreement, Riyadh Season will oversee content on the new channel, to help deliver a unique experience for fans and enhance the club’s profile in the international media landscape.

Alalshikh said the channel will feature exclusive programming, including interviews, daily reports on training sessions and coverage of friendly matches.

“In addition to this channel expanding Al-Hilal’s reach, from Japan to the United States, through DAZN’s presence in 200 countries around the world, it will also generate significant revenue for Al-Hilal through commercial advertising on the channel or direct contracts,” he added.

“DAZN is now also looking into sponsoring Al-Hilal, which is no surprise given Fahad bin Nafel’s success as one of the most accomplished club presidents globally. Riyadh Season seeks success and has become a strategic partner in this sports channel, which is something Riyadh Season takes pride in.”

Saudis living abroad, as well as the club’s wider Arab and global fanbase, will greatly benefit from the partnership agreement, Alalshikh continued.

“We don’t have specialized channels similar to international club channels, so this is a great opportunity to achieve that, especially with a global partner focused on success,” he said.

“This comes at a time when we have achieved great success in boxing and other events, and I am confident that Al-Hilal’s fanbase subscribing to the platform could reach up to 2 million people.”

He added out that similar opportunities are available to all Saudi teams: “Any club interested in collaborating with DAZN through Riyadh Season is more than welcome.”

The agreement was signed in London by bin Nafel and Kacy Grine, the president of DAZN for the Middle East and North Africa.

Grine said: “We are proud to work with Al-Hilal, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and with Riyadh Season, which has become a global symbol of entertainment and sports.

“This partnership offers Al-Hilal fans a unique experience and will allow us to tell inspiring stories about a club that continues to make history.”

The channel is expected to launch before the end of the year. Al-Hilal are the reigning Saudi Pro League champions and the most decorated club in the country.


Saudi football legends celebrate National Day with fans

The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
Updated 24 September 2024
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Saudi football legends celebrate National Day with fans

The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
  • The match saw a team representing Al-Owairan face off against a squad led by Nour
  • In front of around 2,000 football enthusiasts, the two teams engaged in a fierce contest. Both sides struggled to convert their chances in the first half

Jeddah: On the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, football legends captivated fans at the Olympic Stadium with an exhibition match in front of hundreds of fans in Jeddah.

Held on Monday, Sept. 23, the thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons such as Saeed Al-Owairan, who scored one of the greatest goals in FIFA World Cup history, helping Saudi Arabia reach the knockout phase in US 1994; Mohammed Nour, former Al-Ittihad and Saudi international player; Naif Hazazi; Hatim Khaimi; Malek Mouath; Emirati star Omar Abdulrahman, and more.

The match saw a team representing Al-Owairan face off against a squad led by Nour.

In front of around 2,000 football enthusiasts, the two teams engaged in a fierce contest. Both sides struggled to convert their chances in the first half.

However, after the break, Al-Owairan’s team dominated, ultimately winning the friendly match with a score of 6-4.

Anas Serafi, the event organizer, emphasized that the National Day celebration in Saudi Arabia symbolizes unity and national pride. “This is a special day, and we are proud to bring here the stars of Saudi Arabia who made many achievements locally and internationally,” he said. “Around 30 of the most celebrated legends in Saudi football from various teams responded to our call to express their love for their country on the field.”

Saudi national striker Malek Mouath, who helped send the Kingdom to the 2007 Asian Cup final, expressed his excitement about sharing the pitch with some of the sport’s greatest names on such an important day. “This is very exciting, to meet some of my friends again on the football pitch," he said. "It is so nice to see so many Saudi football stars come together to celebrate National Day,” he said.

Organizers and players also took a moment to extend their well-wishes to Saudi national player Fahad Al-Muwallad, who is currently unconscious in intensive care in Riyadh, wishing him a swift recovery.