Saudi Arabia Fortifies Green Fortress: 3 Signings Pave the Way for Asia World Cup Playoff

Three Reinforcements Strengthen Green Falcons Ahead of Asia Playoff

Saudi Arabia's national team has fortified its defense ahead of the Asian World Cup playoff, securing three signings from Riyadh's two giants, Al Hilal and Al Nassr.

The squad is gearing up for two high stakes fixtures against Indonesia on Wednesday and Iraq on October 14, aiming to finish first and secure direct qualification for the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The playoff format awards direct progression to the finals to the group winner, with the second-placed team entering a global playoff and the third eliminated from the equation.

The return of Hassan Tambakti

The first reinforcement comes with the return of Hassan Tambakti, the Al Hilal defender, to full national team training during the second day of the training camp in Jeddah after a minor illness.

The official Saudi team account later confirmed Tambakti's full participation in training alongside teammates, underscoring his role as a key contributor given his recent club and international form.

Tambakti has featured in six matches this season across domestic and Asian competition, with coach Jorge Jesus typically rotating him in one cup clash while keeping him fresh for league duties.

Notably, Tambakti starred at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, appearing in three games and being among the standout performers in the knockout rounds before an injury kept him out of one game.

Internationally, Tambakti has been part of the Saudi setup since 2019, earning 42 caps while continuing to push for his first goal or decisive contribution at senior level.

His recent involvement in nine of ten third-round qualifiers, starting nine and coming off the bench in the tenth, has boosted confidence around the defense as the team eyes a solid playoff push.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi ready to go

Alongside Tambakti, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, the goalkeeper for Al Nassr and Saudi Arabia, is listed as ready for duty with the national team for the playoff. His readiness will be confirmed by coach Renard depending on the tactical setup and fitness tests.

Al-Aqidi has emerged as a key figure for the national team in recent months, especially after his impressive form with Al Fateh prior to a loan spell at the club level. Since joining the national team in 2023, he has kept clean sheets in several appearances and has been trusted as a reliable shot-stopper in talk of major tournaments.

He has accumulated 13 caps since 2023, keeping a clean sheet in several matches and conceding 16 goals overall, with a recent spell plagued by minor injuries that briefly sidelined him during the Czech Republic friendlies last September.

The ongoing absence of Al-Aqidi from club duty during international stops has led to tactical adjustments by the coach, but his return is viewed as a positive for the squad’s balance in goal.

Abdullah Al-Omari joined the fold

In addition, Abdullah Al-Omari, the defender from Al Nassr, has joined the national team’s training camp after initially being left out, with Renard calling him back to bolster the back line in light of Tambakti and Al-Aqidi’s returns.

Initially, Al-Omari’s inclusion was in question, given competition for places with four defenders, but the absence of Tambakti and another player in the first training session prompted the coach to recall him for the subsequent sessions.

Al-Omari, who debuted for Saudi Arabia in 2021, has since earned 30 caps across friendlies and competitive fixtures, including his World Cup appearances in 2022 and notable showings against top opponents.

He sat out the 2023 and 2024 campaigns due to injuries but returned to action during the latest qualifiers, contributing to the defense and showing renewed sharpness in the team’s build-up play.

He has been a presence in both the King’s Cup and continental qualifiers, helping the squad reach the quarterfinals of the West Asian Cup and remaining in the frame for selection in the upcoming playoff window.

Team cohesion and ongoing plans

The national team’s official channels have highlighted the renewed confidence within the squad as these players rejoin training, aiming to maximize chemistry ahead of the crucial fixtures.

The coach remains optimistic about the squad’s tactical balance, emphasizing defensive solidity and counterattacking threat as the team eyes direct passage to the finals or a favorable playoff route.

With Tambakti, Al-Aqidi, and Al-Omari back in the fold, the Greens look better equipped to face Indonesia and Iraq and to strengthen their bid for a ticket to North America.

Punchline 1: If defending was a sport, Saudi’s back line just filed for a patent on impenetrable fortresses. Where's the gate? There isn’t one.

Punchline 2: They say the offside rule is strict; apparently, even the whistle needs a passport to cross into the box now.