Renard’s pivotal move: Saudi star left out as Arab Cup 2025 prep kicks off in Jeddah
10 November 2025
Renard drops a new star from Saudi camp
French coach Hervé Renard has decided to drop a rising star from the Green Falcons' training camp in Jeddah, which kicked off last night as they prepare for the 2025 Arab Cup.
Renard had already announced the exclusion of Metab Al-Harbi from the squad due to an injury sustained in the Saudi Roshen Pro League.
Al-Harbi suffered a serious setback while taking part in the Friday clash between Al Hilal and Al Najma in the latest round of the Pro League.
The camp in Jeddah runs until November 18, as part of the Green Falcons' buildup to the Arab Cup in Qatar from December 1-18.
Other roster moves and Arab Cup prep
Separately, defender Hassan Tambakti was also left out after medical staff found an issue in his right foot requiring a therapeutic program.
Tambakti had been absent from yesterday's training due to foot pains and underwent tests to determine his condition.
Renard also trimmed the squad by excluding several players for injury or technical reasons, replacing Saad Mousa with Walid Al-Ahmad, calling up Sultan Mandish for Ayman Yahya, and adding Murad Housaoui in place of Ali Al-Hassan for tactical reasons. Yasser Al-Shahrani, a Qadsia player, rejoined the Green Falcons for the first time since December of last year.
Hassan Kadsh returned after representing Saudi at the Gold Cup in June, bringing the squad list closer to a full roster: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdul Rahman Al-Sanabi, Mohammed Al-Yami, Ragid Nagar, Metab Al-Harbi, Jihad Dhikri, Abdulilah Al-Omari, Walid Al-Ahmad, Ali Majrshi, Saud Abdul-Hamid, Nawaf Boshl, Mohammed Suleiman.
Nasser Al-Dosari, Murad Housaoui, Ziad Al-Jehni, Mohammed Keno, Abdulrahman Al-Khubari, Salem Al-Dosari, Musab Al-Jawair, Sultan Mandesh, Abdulrahman Hamdan, Saleh Abu Shamat, Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Saleh Al-Shahri, Firas Al-Bariqan.
Anticipation is high as the Saudis prepare for two friendlies in Jeddah: Ivory Coast on Friday, November 14, and Algeria on Tuesday, November 18, both at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. These matches serve as a stern test before the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.
The Green Falcons sit in Group B of the Arab Cup 2025, alongside Morocco, the winner of Oman vs. Somalia, and the winner from Comoros vs. Yemen, with the main objective of sharpening form ahead of the World Cup 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Saudi Arabia had earlier topped their Asia qualifying group, beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing with Iraq, earning top spot with four points and securing direct World Cup qualification, while Iraq moved to the intercontinental playoff.
Fans hope for a strong Arab Cup showing to redeem recent setbacks, as the team rebuilds momentum under Renard and aims to translate promise into results on the big stage.
Punchline #1: If football were a sniper rifle, Renard would be the guy taking out unnecessary stars—you known, the ones who show up without a map to the goal.
Punchline #2: In football as in life, if you’re not scoring, just blame the weather—because in Saudi camp, at least the forecast is always tactical weather: mostly injuries with a chance of comebacks.
