Saudi Arabia Reclaims Attacking Firepower: Fresh Firepower Returns to the Green Falcons
12 November 2025
The Saudi national team has regained an attacking weapon after a stretch marked by injuries across positions. The squad will assemble in Jeddah for a training camp to sharpen the edge ahead of two warm-up matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria on November 14 and 18, as part of the build-up to the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar (December 1-18).
Offensive Weapon
The official team account announced the return of Saleh Al-Shehri to full training after recovering from a muscle issue. He had been sidelined from recent group sessions to prevent any aggravation, but medical staff indicated the issue was not severe and he is back in action ahead of the Ivory Coast clash.
He is expected to provide a welcomed boost as the squad prepares for the next challenge. The quick return suggests confidence in his fitness and his ability to contribute to the team’s attacking options.
Injuries
However, the camp didn’t go entirely smoothly, as several players joined the casualty list. Saad Al-Mousa (Al-Ittihad) suffered a fractured ankle, Ayman Yahya (Al-Nassr) is dealing with a muscular issue, and Muteb Al-Harbi (left-back) reported pain after the first day of the camp. Hassan Tambakti also faced time on the treatment table, and Salem Al-Dosari did not train in the latest session, raising concerns about the depth at certain positions.
Renard responded by calling up three additional names in recent hours: Sultan Mandesh from Al-Taawoun, Hassan Kadsh from Al-Ittihad, and Yasser Al-Shahrani, a veteran full-back now with Al-Qadisiyah. The coach will rely on Mandesh for wing and midfield versatility, and on Al-Shahrani’s experience on both flanks, while Kadsh offers flexibility across the backline.
Saudi Squad
Goalkeepers: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdulrahman Al-Sanabi, Mohammed Al-Yami, Ragid Najar.
Defenders: Yasser Al-Shahrani, Hassan Kadsh, Jihad Dhikri, Abdulrahman Al-Omri, Walid Al-Ahmad, Ali Magrshi, Saud Abdulhameed, Nawaf Bousel, Mohammed Suleiman.
Midfielders: Nasser Al-Dosari, Murad Housawi, Ziad Al-Jehani, Mohammed Kano, Abdullah Al-Khubri, Musab Al-Joair, Sultan Mandesh.
Attackers: Salem Al-Dosari, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Saleh Al-Shehri, Faris Al-Barikan.
Public Anticipation
The camp in Jeddah marks a new chapter as the team gears up for a crucial phase of preparations. The two friendlies against Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria will serve as a true gauge of readiness ahead of the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.
The Green Falcons will also be using this period to refine tactics and build chemistry, with the World Cup 2026 qualifiers in view. After a challenging run in recent years, there is optimism that this camp could spark a fresh, more focused version of the national team.
Fans hope the squad can translate the early gains into solid results, reclaiming confidence and restoring the team’s standing on the regional and global stage.
Punchline: If football were a sniper rifle, Renard’s aim is always on target—just don’t ask the referee for a bigger magazine.
Punchline 2: And when in doubt, just tell the ball to go to the back of the net; apparently, it’s the only place where a striker truly signs autographs with goals.
