Introduction to the Arab Football Summit
Football fans across the Arab world will be glued to their screens this Friday evening as the Saudi Arabian national team hosts Egypt in a highly anticipated friendly match in Jeddah. The game will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City's Al-Inma Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 PM Mecca and Cairo time. This friendly is part of the international calendar, and both teams will be using it to assess their players' technical and physical readiness as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Historical context and the importance of confrontation
Matches between Saudi Arabia and Egypt always carry a special competitive edge and intense rivalry, given the long history that unites Asian and African football. Historically, the two teams have met on several official and friendly occasions that are etched in the memories of fans, perhaps most notably their encounter in the 1999 Confederations Cup and their thrilling group stage match at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This friendly match holds significant regional and international importance. On one hand, the Saudi national team is experiencing a surge in form, bolstered by the tremendous development of its domestic league, and seeks to test its capabilities against one of the strongest teams on the African continent. On the other hand, the Egyptian national team, under the leadership of its national coach Hossam Hassan, nicknamed "The Dean," aspires to build a new generation capable of restoring the Pharaohs' glory and making a strong return to the World Cup stage.
Mohamed Salah's absence and its impact on the Pharaohs
Perhaps the most significant challenge facing the Egyptian national team's coaching staff in this match is the absence of their star player and captain, Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, from the squad. Salah's absence from this friendly stems from an injury he sustained while playing for his English club against Galatasaray in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. This absence presents Hossam Hassan with a real test of the team's ability to create plays and score goals without their key player, which opens the door for experimenting with new faces capable of filling the void.
Who is Haitham Hassan, Salah's replacement?
With this significant absence, the Egyptian national team's coaching staff is looking for a suitable strategic replacement. Reports indicate that Hossam Hassan is leaning towards relying on young right winger Haitham Hassan, who plays professionally for Spanish club Real Oviedo. This would be Haitham Hassan's first call-up to the Egyptian national team, and the coaching staff aims to give him their full confidence and include him in the starting lineup to help him quickly integrate with his teammates and gain international experience before the World Cup.
Expected lineup for the Egyptian national team
Hossam Hassan is likely to adopt a balanced playing style that ensures defensive security while exploiting speed. The expected formation is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy.
- Defense line: Mohamed Hany – Yasser Ibrahim – Ramy Rabia – Ahmed Fatouh.
- Midfield: Hamdi Fathi – Marwan Attia – Mahmoud Hassan (Trezeguet).
- Attack line: Haitham Hassan – Omar Marmoush – Mostafa Mohamed.
