Mini World Cup in the Making: How Saudi Arabia Plans to Leverage the Arab Cup
29 November 2025
Context and Strategy
The Arab Cup 2025 offers France-born coach Hervé Renard a golden opportunity to sharpen Saudi Arabia's squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Green Falcons had already booked a place at the World Cup in October of last year, about two months before the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar. Following qualification, the team held a training camp in Jeddah in November, playing two friendlies against Ivory Coast and Algeria before heading to the Arab Cup.
Building a Cohesive Unit
Renard must use the tournament to lock in the core selection and style, not to experiment. The choices are limited, but necessary, as injuries or form can require a tweak. The Arab Cup should help create harmony among players as the last major gathering before the World Cup, and maintain that cohesion in subsequent camps.
The coach's list for the Arab Cup 2025 was almost the same as the one considered in late November, with two new additions for mandatory reasons: right-back Mohammad Abu Al-Shamat, who impressed recently and replaces the unavailable Saud Abdul Hamid, who was with Lens in Ligue 1 during the window.
Another addition was Murad Hosaoui, a midfielder for Al-Khaleej, whose recent form in the league and in the King's Cup justified the call.
By contrast, the most notable omissions were Sultan Mandesh and Ziad Al-Juhani, less central to the current project, while other absences were driven by injuries, such as Metab Al-Harbi.
This precise selection approach is what Renard should pursue: the Arab Cup is a stabilizing step, not a lab for new faces six months before the World Cup. He must complete the process by cementing the starting XI and the playing style in the Arab Cup, with the next pause only in March.
Victory is the Only Acceptable Outcome
Stability of the XI and approach is aimed not only at cohesion and Arab Cup glory—Saudi Arabia seeks a second Arab Cup title, the first since 2002—and at a moral boost for 2026, given the World Cup's profile among teams that travel with first-choice squads.
But the Arab Cup's value goes beyond trophy counts: a triumph would reinforce confidence for the World Cup and could ease historical droughts in international titles since 2003. The kingdom's players have not lifted a major international trophy before; winning in 2025 would help set the tone for 2026.
Saudi Matches at the Arab Cup
Saudi Arabia begins their Arab Cup 2025 campaign on December 2 against Oman at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. The second game is at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor against Comoros, with the group finale against Morocco on December 8 at Lusail. The Saudis have experience against many Arab and African teams, though Comoros will be a fresh opponent. While the Saudis have a rich history against Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, this will be their first meeting with Comoros.
Two punchlines to close on a lighter note: If Renard nails this, the only offside will be the one at his press conference. And if the Arab Cup is a dress rehearsal, his playbook is basically a season pass—every tactic works, until the lights go out.
