The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Monday that national team player Zakariya Hawsawi sustained a knee injury, preventing him from completing team training. This injury comes just days before a friendly match against Egypt in Jeddah on Friday, followed by a match against Serbia four days later.
The national team continued its training session on Monday evening in Jeddah as part of its preparatory camp for the 2026 World Cup. The players conducted their training at the King Abdullah Sports City under the supervision of coach Hervé Renard, but Hawsawi could not finish the session due to knee pain.
Details of the Incident
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation stated on its website: "The national team continued its training session on Monday evening in Jeddah, as part of its preparatory camp for the third phase of the preparation program for the 2026 World Cup." Hawsawi, who is 25 years old and currently plays for Ahl on loan from Al-Raed, was unable to complete the training session.
In a related development, Ali Lajami, a player from Al-Hilal, joined the national team training camp after being called up by Renard from the second team’s camp. Additionally, Hassan Al-Tambakti, a defender from Al-Hilal, completed his rehabilitation program with the medical staff of the national team.
Background & Context
The Saudi national team is in Group H for the upcoming World Cup in North America next summer, alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde. Coach Renard announced a list of 50 players divided between a main and a reserve team, with the main squad consisting of 25 players directly under his supervision, while the reserve team includes the remaining players under the guidance of Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio of the Olympic team.
In an extensive interview published on the official Saudi national team account on the platform X this March, Renard emphasized the importance of ambition, stating: "In the 2026 World Cup, there will be more teams and a greater chance to qualify for the knockout stage. We must be as ambitious as all participating teams."
Impact & Consequences
Renard confirmed that the primary goal is to qualify for the Round of 16, saying: "We need to reach the second round and perhaps further. The first goal is to reach the Round of 16. It may be a high target, but we cannot participate in a tournament and settle for exiting in the group stage and returning home." The expanded tournament format has increased the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, which means an additional knockout round (the Round of 32) after the group stage.
Teams aiming for the title must now play eight matches instead of seven. The group stage will see the top two teams from each of the 12 groups qualify directly for the knockout rounds, along with the best eight third-placed teams, ranked by points, goal difference, and goals scored. If there is still a tie, disciplinary records (cards) are considered, and ultimately, the team with the better world ranking is favored.
Regional Significance
Renard reiterated the importance of ambition in the upcoming tournament, stating: "In the 2026 World Cup, there will be more teams and a greater chance to qualify for the knockout stage. We must be as ambitious as all participating teams." He emphasized that the primary goal is to reach the Round of 16, highlighting the significance of this achievement for the national team and its supporters.
This injury to Hawsawi raises concerns about the team's performance in the upcoming matches and the World Cup, as it marks a critical moment in their preparation. The Saudi team will face Egypt without one of its key players, which could impact their strategy and performance on the field.