French coach Hervé Renard of the Saudi national football team has excluded player Zakaria Hawsawi from the team's camp in Jeddah, based on the medical report provided by the national team's medical staff. The report confirmed that after conducting the necessary examinations on his injury, the player is unfit and requires a therapeutic and rehabilitation program.
The Green continues its training in Jeddah as it prepares to face the Egyptian national team next Friday, as part of its preparatory camp during the FIFA international days in March. This camp is part of the third phase of the preparation program for the 2026 World Cup.
Training Details
The Green players conducted their training session at the King Abdullah Sports City training ground in Jeddah, under the supervision of coach Renard. The session began with warm-up exercises, followed by square drills, and then various tactical exercises were implemented before concluding with a full-field scrimmage. In a related context, player Muteb Al-Harbi joined the first team training after being called up from the reserve team camp by the head coach.
Meanwhile, player Salman Al-Faraj limited himself to performing special exercises alongside the coaching staff, while Zakaria Hawsawi continued his therapeutic program. The Green is scheduled to continue its training on Thursday evening with a session at the auxiliary pitch of King Abdullah Sports City, which will be open to the media during the first fifteen minutes.
Background & Context
Zakaria Hawsawi's injury is a significant blow to the Saudi national team, especially in light of the intensive preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Hawsawi is considered one of the key elements in the Green's lineup, and his absence will impact coach Renard's plans. The Saudi national team aims to deliver a strong performance in the upcoming matches, particularly after qualifying for the World Cup in previous editions.
The history of the Saudi national team in international competitions has faced many challenges, as the team always strives to overcome obstacles and achieve positive results. With the World Cup approaching, every match gains special importance in building the team's morale.
Impact & Consequences
The absence of Hawsawi may affect the team's performance in the upcoming match against Egypt, as coach Renard will need to find suitable alternatives to compensate for his absence. Additionally, this injury may open the door for other players to prove themselves in the starting lineup, potentially altering the team's dynamics.
Preparations for the World Cup require the highest levels of readiness, and any injury can disrupt the coach's plans and team composition. Therefore, the coaching staff will work on developing new strategies to compensate for absences and achieve positive results in the upcoming matches.
Regional Significance
The Saudi national team's participation in the World Cup is a significant event not only for Saudi sports but for the Arab region as a whole. The team's success in the tournament reflects the development of football in the region and enhances its status on the international stage. Moreover, the friendly matches played by the team, such as the match against Egypt, strengthen sports relations between Arab countries.
Arab teams strive to achieve positive results in international tournaments, reflecting the growth of the game in the region and enhancing sportsmanship among Arab nations. The participation of Arab teams in international forums contributes to strengthening the Arab sports identity and opens avenues for cooperation between countries.