Arab Cup 2025 Sparks Scheduling Storm in Saudi Football

Arab Cup 2025 Triggers Delays in Saudi Football

Some fixtures in the Saudi Professional League and the King’s Cup are at risk of being postponed due to the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar. The tournament finals run from December 1 to December 18, and during this window the Saudi league action is paused, returning normal play on December 19.

A potential postponement is under consideration by the Saudi Football Federation for the Roshen Pro League Round 10 if the national team reaches the Arab Cup final. That round is scheduled to begin on December 19, the day after the tournament final, which would complicate player availability across clubs.

Should the national team advance, the delay would not be limited to one league round; it could also affect the King’s Cup semi-finals, which organizers had penciled in for February 23–24 but might be moved to March 16–17 next year to clear the calendar.

This reshuffle would come ahead of the international window set for March 23–31, as organizers try to avoid clashes and keep both competitions competitive and entertaining for fans. The core idea is to enable the league’s Round 10 to be played without star players being torn between domestic and Arab Cup duties.

On the squad front, the French coach Hervé Renard has named 23 players for the Saudi Arabia team taking part in the Arab Cup 2025. The list includes goalkeepers Nawar Al-Aqidi, Ragid Najjar, and Abdul Rahman Al-Sanabi; defenders Abdul Ilah Al-Omari, Walid Al-Ahmad, Nawaf Boshl, Mohammed Suleiman, Jihad Zikri, Hassan Al-Tembakti, Ali Majrashi; midfielders Murad Al-Housawi, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Musab Al-Juwair, Mohammed Kano, Abdul Rahman Al-Khibrri, Ayman Yahya, Nasser Al-Dosary; and attackers Salem Al-Dosari, Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, Abdulrahman Al-Hamdan, Saleh Al-Shahri, Firas Al-Breikan, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat. A number of players were left out, including Saud Abdul Hamid, Sultan Mendesh, Muteb Al-Harbi, Mohammed Al-Rubai’i, Ziad Al-Jahani, and Marwan Al-Sahafi, as Renard cited various reasons for selections and omissions.

The Arab Cup group stage places Saudi in Group 2 alongside Morocco, and the winners of Oman vs. Somalia and Yemen vs. Comoros. Their first match hits on December 2 against the winner of the Oman-Somalia tie at Education City Stadium in Doha. The tournament will be hosted across six venues in Qatar, including Al Bayt Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Ahmed Bin Ali, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International, and 974. A total of 16 nations will compete, with 9 teams advancing automatically by FIFA ranking and the remaining 7 determined through late November qualifiers in Qatar.

Beyond the on-pitch drama, the absence of certain players underlines the clash between international duty and European schedules. The omission of Sultan Mendesh, a winger for Al-Taawoun, robs Renard of a flexible right-sided option should he need to reshuffle in response to injuries or tactical shifts. Other notable exclusions included Mandoor and Marwan Al-Sahafi, who faced non-sporting or medical reasons in recent camps. On the bright side, Renard’s forward options remain strong with Salim Al-Dosari, Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan leading the line, supported by Firas Al-Breikan and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat in advanced roles. The team’s balance between wings and central attack remains a talking point as the Arab Cup and domestic league schedules collide.

In short, the Arab Cup 2025 promises excitement abroad while forcing domestic calendar gymnastics back home. The goal is to keep both competitions meaningful without burning out players or fans, which is easier said than done—but soccer loves a good plot twist almost as much as it loves a good goal.<\/p>

Punchline time: If the schedule gets tighter, the referee will need a calendar with a built-in espresso machine. Punchline two: Don’t worry—when in doubt, blame the international break for your lunch; apparently, even time zones need a timeout for snacks.