A new strategy to strengthen the Green ranks
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the Saudi national team and injecting new blood into Saudi football, the head coach of the Saudi national team, Frenchman Hervé Renard, has decided to call up Al-Fateh's young player, Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, to join the national team's training camp (B). This decision comes after the player's impressive performances with the under-21 national team, reflecting the coaching staff's commitment to building a strong bridge between the youth levels and the senior national team.
Details of the training camp in Jeddah
The national team (B) continued its intensive training session this Tuesday evening at the King Abdullah Sports City auxiliary stadium in Jeddah. These preparations are part of a program running concurrently with the first national team's training camp, representing the third phase of the Green Falcons' preparation plan for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, during the international break (FIFA days) this March.
Joint technical leadership and high-level tactics
The Saudi youth national team players held their training session under the guidance of Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio, with the direct presence and supervision of head coach Hervé Renard. The session began with traditional warm-up exercises to improve fitness levels, followed by a detailed tactical drill focused primarily on building attacks from the back and finishing effectively in front of goal. The training session concluded with a full-field scrimmage aimed at implementing the tactical approach for quick attacking transitions and exploiting open spaces.
The strategic importance of the (B) team and its historical background
The establishment of the national (B) team is a significant developmental step in the history of modern Saudi football, aiming to create a competitive environment and prepare a strong second string capable of filling any gaps in the first team. Historically, Hervé Renard has demonstrated his exceptional ability to utilize young talent, as clearly demonstrated by the Saudi national team's heroic performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, particularly in their historic victory over Argentina. With the increased number of participating teams in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the need for a broad base of internationally-ready players becomes even more critical.
Next steps for Al-Akhdar
Today's training session saw the active participation of player Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, who quickly integrated into the tactical system. The national team (B) is scheduled to continue its training tomorrow evening, Wednesday, at the same stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, but in a session completely closed to the media, in order to enhance focus and implement specific tactical plays away from the spotlight.
