Arab Cup Strategy Revamped: Saudi Stars Kick Into Doha Plan
27 November 2025
Arab Cup Prep and Renard's Revised Plan
Saudi newspaper reports reveal the final preparations of the Saudi national team for the Arab Cup, set to be held from December 1 to December 18 in Doha, Qatar.
The Green Falcons are lining up in a group with Oman, Comoros, and Morocco; their opener is against Oman, then Comoros, and finally Morocco in the Arab Cup stage this December in Doha.
According to the report, the administrative and technical staff, along with some players, will depart Riyadh on Saturday to prepare in Doha for the tournament.
According to the same source, players from Al Hilal and Al Ittihad will join the squad the next day, after finishing their King Cup duties, to rendezvous in Doha.
In the King Cup quarterfinals, Saudi clubs will feature, including matches involving Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, and Al Khaleej, as the calendar tightens.
To build momentum, Renard has stressed squad depth, insisting every training session is a test of chemistry and ideas. The Arab Cup demands both resilience and flair, and the coaching staff are counting on players who can adjust quickly to different roles.
Abu Shamat's breakout season has been the talk of the town in Jeddah and beyond. Coaches point to his intelligent positioning, late runs into the box, and willingness to press high as signs he can influence games even when not on the ball.
Doha will host the teams in a climate that can surprise even the most seasoned professionals, so conditioning and recovery will be key. The medical team has prepared a regimen that blends science with a little humor to keep spirits up.
On the tactical front, Renard has shown a fondness for dynamic wingers who can cut inside, but he can switch to a compact 4-2-3-1 when required, letting forwards exploit pockets of space.
Despite a busy schedule, the team remains hopeful. Fans will watch Doha with multiple screens and spare jerseys as players aim to deliver a plan that travels well beyond the stadium.
Group opponents bring different challenges: Oman with pace, Comoros with resilience, Morocco with organization. The teams will need to adapt quickly to avoid early nerves and keep Renard's plan intact.
Squad Depth, Abu Shamat's Breakout, and Doha Preparations
Renard has named a 23-man squad for the Arab Cup, including Saleh Abu Shamat, Mohammed Kanno, Salem Al-Dosari, Abdulrahman Al-Abd, Saleh Al-Shehri, and a handful of rising talents.
To build momentum, Renard has stressed squad depth, insisting every training session is a test of chemistry and ideas. The Arab Cup demands both resilience and flair, and the coaching staff are counting on players who can adjust quickly to different roles.
Abu Shamat's breakout season has been the talk of the town in Jeddah and beyond. Coaches point to his intelligent positioning, late runs into the box, and willingness to press high as signs he can influence games even when not on the ball.
Doha will host the teams in a climate that can surprise even the most seasoned professionals, so conditioning and recovery will be key. The medical team has prepared a regimen that blends science with a little humor to keep spirits up.
On the tactical front, Renard has shown a fondness for dynamic wingers who can cut inside, but he can switch to a compact 4-2-3-1 when required, letting forwards exploit pockets of space.
Despite a busy schedule, the team remains hopeful. Fans will watch Doha with multiple screens and spare jerseys as players aim to deliver a plan that travels well beyond the stadium.
Group opponents bring different challenges: Oman with pace, Comoros with resilience, Morocco with organization. The teams will need to adapt quickly to avoid early nerves and keep Renard's plan intact.
Doha will host the teams in a climate that can surprise even the most seasoned professionals, so conditioning and recovery will be key. The medical team has prepared a regimen that blends science with a little humor to keep spirits up.
Since joining Al Ahli from Al Gulf, Saleh Abu Shamat has drawn Renard's eye with his smart runs from the left, speed, and clever reads of the game.
His development has impressed the coach, who sees him as a potential starter and a flexible attacking option as the Arab Cup approaches.
Leading performances earlier in the season have helped him push into the picture, and his early international contributions helped the Green Falcons reach the 2026 World Cup finals.
As the Arab Cup nears in Doha, the framework is clear: Renard will lean on Abu Shamat's versatility to unlock space and spark the team's attack.
To close, a pinch of humor: If Renard's plan scores a goal, it won't be called an assist—it's a fashion statement.
And if the team loses, well, at least their strategy looked good in Doha's desert wind.
