Saudi Arabia on the Brink: Hamdan Returns as Iraq Stand Tall
12 October 2025
Boost arrives ahead of Iraq clash
Renowned French coach Hervé Renard receives welcome news for the Saudi national team ahead of the Asian playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
The Saudis prepare to face Iraq on Tuesday at the Al-Inma Stadium, closing the Asian playoff route for the finals. A win or a draw secures direct qualification, while Iraq can only advance directly by winning.
According to the Saudi daily Al Riyadiya, Abdullah Al Hamdan of Al Hilal will return to training with the Green at 7 pm local time on Sunday ahead of the clash. He had been sidelined with a cold.
Squad changes and injuries
Hamdan’s comeback adds depth, giving Renard more options to adjust tactics, including the possibility of adding another attacker or rotating the starting striker. Renard currently relies on Firas Al Breikan as the main striker, with Salih Al Shehri as a deputy and Abdullah Al Hamdan third in the pecking order.
Hamdan has a solid history with the Green since his first call-up in September 2019 under Renard. Since then he has appeared in 38 matches across competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists.
He shone during the September international window, scoring in the 2-1 win over North Macedonia and contributing to a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in two friendlies. Renard hopes to see those levels again if he is needed to seal qualification for 2026.
In parallel, Abdulrahman Al Aboud of Al Ittihad is left out of the squad after a jaw injury was discovered in Thursday training, according to the coach’s decision. Medical tests confirmed the injury and he was referred to a specialist in a Jeddah hospital to coordinate treatment with the national team and his club medical staff.
Al Aboud, 30, has previously worn outfits for Al Ettifaq and Al Arabi, but his longest spell was with Al Ittihad, where he appeared in 148 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 22 assists. Internationally, he has 11 caps and two goals, with his debut in late 2021, and he helped Al Ittihad win the Roshen Pro League and the King’s Cup last season.
Historic edge and venue optimism
Renard has settled on substitutes to fill the gaps after confirming that Kano and Al Aboud will miss the Saudi vs Iraq match. Kano is suspended after a red card against Indonesia, while Al Aboud is sidelined with an injury.
According to Al Youm newspaper, Renard plans to deploy Ziad Al Johani to cover midfield gaps left by Kano’s absence. Renard will also rely on Abdullah Al Hamdan as a trump card, after returning to full training today following his absence from Saturday’s session due to a cold.
Saudi Arabia holds a historic edge over Iraq in World Cup qualifiers, having faced each other six times with five wins for the Green and one draw. Saudi beat Indonesia 3-2 in the playoff opener, while Iraq beat Indonesia 1-0.
The winner on Tuesday will secure a direct ticket to the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, known as Al-Inma, remains a major source of optimism for Saudi fans because of the team’s strong results on home soil. The venue has hosted 15 matches without a loss, recording 12 wins and 3 draws, with 32 goals scored and 9 conceded. The latest 3-2 win over Indonesia adds to the streak ahead of the Iraq clash.
Saudi’s home record fuels confidence that the Green can keep the run going against Iraq.
Sniper punchline 1: If Renard engineered this plan with a sniper like precision, every shot is a goal and every goal is a headline.
Sniper punchline 2: If this all sounds like a script, it is — because in football, even the ball loves a good plot twist before the final whistle.
