Injury Storm Hits Saudi-Egypt Friendly as Salah and Al-Dosri Sit Out
22 March 2026
Injury Woes Ahead of the Saudi-Egypt Friendly
Injuries continue to haunt the stars of Saudi Arabia and Egypt as their March friendly approaches. The match is a key warm-up for World Cup 2026 preparations in North America.
What It Means for the World Cup Prep
Saudi Arabia will host Egypt on Friday at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, a tune-up for both teams ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Days before the match, the Saudi Football Federation announced that Salem Al-Dosri would miss the camp in Jeddah due to injury.
In an official statement, head coach Herve Renard said the decision followed a medical report from the national team staff.
Al-Hilal provided a detailed MRI report confirming the knee issue, which requires treatment and rehabilitation.
Upon arrival at the camp on Sunday evening, the medical team carried out clinical tests and reviewed the MRI findings.
All reports indicated the need for a therapeutic and rehabilitative program, leading to his withdrawal from the camp for now.
As a result, Al-Dosri will miss Saudi matches against Egypt on March 27 in Jeddah and against Serbia on March 31 in Belgrade.
Al-Dosri is not the first star to miss the Arab showdown, as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool also sat out due to an injury sustained in a Galatasaray clash in the Champions League.
This will be the first meeting between Egypt and Saudi Arabia since the 2018 World Cup group stage, where the Green won 2-1.
And yes, if injuries were goals, the medical staff would be the season’s top scorers. The physio room already looks like a crowded stadium, with fans hoping for a comeback before kickoff. If football had refunds, fans would demand one for each nagging ache—talk about a season ticket to the clinic!
