Saudi Arabia’s Slide: Vingada Breaks Down the Green’s Dip Before a Big Arab Cup Moment

Former Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada, who led Saudi Arabia in the past, has laid out why the Green have dipped in form lately, even with the World Cup 2026 qualification secured.

Saudi Arabia recently edged Ivory Coast 1-0 in a friendly on Friday as part of November fixtures, a result that offered a glimmer of reassurance amid the doubts.

Next up, the Green will clash with Algeria on Tuesday in a tune-up for the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, a tournament many hope will be a useful staging post before the big global challenges.

Shocking statements

Vingada said in a television interview that the Saudi national team’s form has not been what it was during the 2022 World Cup run, hinting at a confidence gap that has crept into the team’s rhythm.

He attributed the drop to the local players’ reduced involvement in the Roshen Pro League due to a surge of foreign players, arguing that less competition for places has cooled some of the domestic star power that helped ignite earlier success.

“In the last World Cup, those stars played regularly with their clubs, contributing to the sharpness that beat Argentina,” he said. “Now, with more foreigners and fewer minutes for some homegrown talents, the battle for playing time is tougher.”

What about the Ivory Coast performance?

On the Ivory Coast game, Vingada noted that the first half was solid, with Saudi Arabia creating numerous chances, but the second half showed a dip in intensity.

He added that heavy rain played a role in the uneven display, affecting the Saudis more than the Ivorians, who are used to European-style climates and conditioning given many players’ club commitments in Europe.

Still, the former coach pointed to resilience in the faces of weather and adversity, underscoring the importance of translating early opportunities into consistent danger in front of goal.

Back to confidence

Despite the recent wobble, Saudi Arabia appears to be regaining its fighting spirit and technical balance after a challenging spell under Italian coach Roberto Mancini.

French coach Herve Renard has, since taking charge, emphasized tactical discipline and trust among players, a shift that has been reflected in steadier performances and improved results.

Mancini’s tenure featured fluctuations and some surprising results that sapped morale and exposed defensive and attacking gaps, but Renard’s arrival has helped the team regain a steadier footing, control in midfield, and quicker transitions between defense and attack.

Renard has also given more young players a chance to prove themselves while preserving the experience of key veterans, creating a balanced blend capable of handling varied tactical demands in friendlies and future commitments like the Arab Cup and the World Cup.

What lies ahead for Saudi?

The Saudi national team arrives at the Arab Cup with clear ambitions—not only to contend for the title, but also to use it as a strategic preparation stage for the upcoming World Cup challenges.

The Arab Cup is a testing ground to test all players, experiment with tactical plans against diverse opponents, and sharpen the team’s ability to read matches under pressure.

The tournament will also help strengthen on-field chemistry between regular starters and substitutes, and identify younger talents who could form part of the final World Cup squad.

Matches against teams from different levels will let the coach gauge how well the side can adapt to multiple styles, whether facing tightly organized defenses or fast attacking threats, a positive sign for building a team fit for world-stage battles.

Additionally, the Arab Cup offers a chance to review individual and collective errors, especially around midfield control, quick transitions, and defensive organization—elements that could prove decisive at the global finals.

Competing for the Arab Cup crown could spark healthy intra-squad competition, boosting players’ confidence as they chase big dreams and global expectations tied to the World Cup.

The Arab Cup isn’t just extra football; it’s a pivotal exercise to ready the Saudi squad, sharpen tactical tools, and shape a balanced unit prepared for the world stage ahead.

It will also provide a golden opportunity to trial all scenarios and address weaknesses, thereby strengthening World Cup prospects.

Saudi squad list for November camp

Goalkeepers: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdulrahman Al-Sanabi, Mohammed Al-Yami, Ragid Najjar.

Defense: Yasser Al-Shahrani, Hassan Kadisha, Jihad Dakri, Abdulrahman Al-Omari, Waheed Al-Ahmad, Ali Majrashi, Saud Abdulhamid, Nawaf Boshil, Mohammed Suleiman.

Midfield: Nasser Al-Dosari, Murad Hosawi, Ziad Al-Juhani, Mohammed Kanno, Abdullah Al-Khabiri, Musab Al-Juair, Sultan Mandash.

Attack: Salem Al-Dosari, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Saleh Abu Shamat, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Marwan Al-Shafi, Saleh Al-Shehri, Firas Al-Breikan.