Al Hilal has resumed its daily training sessions after a seven-day break granted by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi to the players following their qualification for the King’s Cup final. This resumption is part of the preparations for the team as they gear up for the Saudi league's continuation after the current international break, which lasts until the end of March.
The training sessions saw Inzaghi calling upon a group of young players to compensate for the significant absence in the team's roster, as 14 players were called up to participate with their national teams during the international break. Among these players, six joined the Saudi national team camp, including Mohammed Kanno, Muteb Al-Harbi, Ali Lajami, Mohammed Al-Rubaei, Sultan Mandash, and Murad Hossawi. Additionally, eight foreign players were called up for their national teams, including Moroccan Yassine Bounou, Senegalese Khalidou Koulibaly, Portuguese Ruben Neves, Serbian Sergio Savic, Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, French players Theo Hernandez and Simon Bouabri, and Ivorian Mohamed Kader Meti.
Training Details and Player Conditions
In a related context, the quartet of Salem Al-Dosari, Hassan Tambakti, Hamid Al-Yami, and Turkish Yusuf Akcicek continued their therapeutic and rehabilitation programs to recover from injuries sustained in the past period. Al-Dosari is suffering from pain in the knee's patellar tendon, while Tambakti's injury is in the hamstring. Meanwhile, both Al-Yami and Akcicek are undergoing rehabilitation programs following surgeries they had.
Sultan Mandash, a player for the Saudi national team, confirmed their full readiness for the friendly match against the Egyptian national team, expressing his happiness at joining the ranks of the Green team and thanking coach Hervé Renard for selecting him. He emphasized the importance of this preparation phase for the 2026 World Cup, stressing the necessity of Saudi fans' attendance to support the team.
Background & Context
This training comes as part of the serious preparations for the Saudi national team, which is gearing up to face the Egyptian national team in a friendly match in Jeddah. Renard pointed out the significance of this camp as it is the last before the World Cup, where the team aims to achieve positive results in these friendly matches.
Renard also highlighted the need for players to pay attention to nutrition, sleep, and training aspects to ensure their readiness for the World Cup. He noted that the criteria for selecting players have changed, now relying on performance and playing minutes, reflecting the challenges the team faces amid strong competition.
Impact & Consequences
These training sessions and friendly matches represent an important opportunity for the Saudi national team to assess player levels and prepare them well before the World Cup. Moreover, the inclusion of young players reflects Al Hilal's strategy in developing local talents, which may contribute to enhancing the team's level in upcoming competitions.
On the other hand, facing the Egyptian national team is a strong test for the Saudi team, as both teams seek to achieve positive results that boost players' confidence before heading to the World Cup. This match may also contribute to strengthening sports relations between the two countries.
Regional Significance
These developments indicate the importance of football in strengthening ties between Arab countries, as friendly matches contribute to enhancing sports cooperation and exchanging experiences. Furthermore, the success of the Saudi national team in the World Cup could have a positive impact on sports in the region as a whole.
In conclusion, the focus on developing local players and enhancing their readiness for international competitions remains the primary goal for coaches, contributing to raising the level of Arab football on the global stage.