Arab Cup Build-Up: Renard Unveils a 27-Man Saudi Squad for November Camp

Squad Announcement Ahead of Arab Cup Build-Up

French coach Hervé Renard named a 27-man Saudi squad for a November training camp in Jeddah, part of preparations for the Arab Cup in Qatar from December 1-18.

According to Al-Yawm, Renard called up Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdulrahman Al-Sanabi, Mohammed Al-Yami, Ragid Najjar, Muteb Al-Harbi, Jihad Zakri, Abdullah Al-Omari, Walid Al-Ahmad, Hassan Al-Tembakti, Ali Majrashi, Saud Abdul-Hamid, Nawaf Boshl, Mohammed Suleiman, Nasser Al-Dosari, Murad Housaoui, Ziad Al-Jehani, Mohammed Kanoo, Abdullah Al-Khiebri, Salem Al-Dosari, Musab Al-Juweir, Sultan Mandesh, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Saleh Al-Shehri, Feras Al-Bariqan.

He also made changes due to injuries: Walid Al-Ahmad replaces Saad Al-Mousa; Sultan Mandesh replaces Ayman Yahya for fitness reasons; Murad Housaoui is called instead of Ali Al-Hassan for tactical reasons.

Saudi Arabia will face Ivory Coast on Friday, November 14 at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, and Algeria on November 18 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, as part of two tough warm-ups before the tournament. The Green Falcons sit in Group B with Morocco and winners of Oman-Somalia and Comoros-Yemen.

Renard's plan includes a shift to a more disciplined, refreshed squad designed to compete at continental and world level.

The team had secured World Cup 2026 qualification via the Asian playoff in Jeddah, finishing top of the group ahead of Iraq.

Renard has long been credited with stabilizing the squad and bringing a modern, competitive edge that Saudi football is eager to translate to the world stage.

Two light-hearted notes to close: If Renard’s strategy were a snack, it would be spicy, sharp, and somehow always on the bench—just in case you need a late bite. And remember, in football as in comedy, timing is everything: pass first, worry about the punchline later.