Renard's Bold Call: Will Hossawi's Fitness Decide Saudi Arabia's Arab Cup Showdown with UAE?

Injury update and potential lineup

The medical check will decide the final call.

Questions are mounting over whether one of the newcomers can feature for Saudi Arabia in the eagerly awaited clash with the United Arab Emirates, set for Thursday in a third-place playoff of the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.

The Green Falcons were eliminated by Jordan 1-0 in the semi-finals, while the UAE were beaten by Morocco 3-0 in the same round.

All eyes are on coach Hervé Renard’s decision regarding Morad Hossawi after the injury he sustained in Tuesday’s training.

According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Yawm, Hossawi will undergo a thorough medical examination in the coming hours to determine his readiness, which will decide his participation.

But Renard remains constantly wary of risking all his players, though the importance of the UAE match could push him to risk including Hossawi.

Morad Hossawi has earned high praise from Renard after his standout performance against Morocco in the Arab Cup 2025 group stage, proving his ability to handle pressure and contribute defensively.

Renard also wants to finish the tournament in third place after criticism for the loss to Jordan.

With the clock ticking toward 18 December, Renard’s call could influence not only the result but also how Saudi Arabia finishes the Arab Cup in Qatar.

Punchline 1: If fitness tests were coffee tests, Hossawi would be a double espresso—strong, a little bitter, but guaranteed to wake up the defense."

Punchline 2: Renard’s strategy for this match? Risk a few, rest the rest—defense in depth, with a dash of French flair and a pinch of luck.