Arab Cup Showdown: Saudi Woes Cloud the Build-Up as Hosawi Battles Pain Ahead of UAE Clash
16 December 2025
Match context
Morad Hosawi, a midfielder for the Saudi national team, deepens the Green's wounds ahead of their upcoming match in the 2025 Arab Cup against the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi team will meet the UAE on Thursday at Khalifa International Stadium, a third-place playoff in the Arab Cup.
The Saudi team announced today, via its official X account, that Morad Hosawi felt some pains less than 48 hours before the match, which stopped him from completing training.
Moreover, Hosawi is not viewed as a core component of the Saudi squad, as French coach Hervé Renard relies on Abdullah Al-Khibrí, Mohammed Kanno, and Nasser Al-Dosari in midfield.
Nevertheless, the Gulf-based player has shown notable skill in his limited appearances for the Green, particularly when he started in the 1-0 defeat to Morocco during the group-stage’s third round.
The Saudi team aims for third place in the Arab Cup for the second time in its history, after failing to reach the final following a 1-0 loss to Jordan in the semi-final.
Outlook and notes
Note that Renard's plans could hinge on Hosawi's availability, as the squad rotates to cope with injuries and fatigue ahead of a tight schedule. Punchline 1: If pre-match injuries had a fan club, Hosawi would be its president, secretary, and treasurer all in one. Punchline 2: The press conference uncertainty is so thick you could cut it with a whistle.
