Donis reveals the Saudi national team's preparation plan for the 2026 World Cup
Donis' plan to build a strong Saudi national team
Following the announcement of the Saudi national team's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, head coach Giorgos Donis emphasized that the current phase requires calm and focused work. He stressed that the ambition remains strong, but the path forward depends primarily on gradual development and building a strong and cohesive system on the field.
The historical context of the Green Falcons' World Cup participations
These preparations are an extension of the Saudi national team's rich history in international competitions, as the "Green Falcons" have participated in the World Cup six times previously, beginning with the historic 1994 edition in the United States, where they reached the Round of 16. The current generation seeks to continue this footballing legacy, especially after their commendable performance in the last edition, bolstered by the significant support that Saudi sports enjoy.
Work strategy and artistic realism
During the press conference, Donis explained: “The squad we have includes players who have played full minutes, and they must bring the passion and respect to representing their country. We are capable of producing outstanding players who will implement the plan we have adopted in the coming period.” He added: “As a coaching staff, we don’t make unrealistic promises; rather, we focus on realistic work based on the technical, physical, and psychological preparation of the players. As a team, we don’t expect miracles from the outset, but we will give our all and focus on each match step by step during the qualifiers and upcoming tournaments.”.
The importance of the event and its regional and international impact
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are of paramount importance, not only domestically but also regionally and internationally, coinciding with the major sporting boom that Saudi Arabia is witnessing. Building a strong national team reflects the development of the Saudi Professional League, which has become a focus of global attention after attracting a host of international football stars. This development positively impacts local players through exposure to diverse footballing styles, raising the technical level of the national team and making it a formidable force in Asia.
Tactical discipline and a clear identity
Donis indicated that his primary goal is to build a well-organized team on the field from the very first moment, ensuring that each player performs their duties with precision and tactical discipline. He explained that the core idea is to establish a clear team identity based on organization and commitment. He also praised CEO Fahad Al-Mufarrij, emphasizing his practical knowledge and respect for him, saying, "We worked together before, and it was a wonderful and positive collaboration. We had a successful partnership at that time.".
Leveraging past experiences and psychological factors
The coach emphasized his prior knowledge of the Saudi league, which will contribute to accelerating the integration between the coaching staff and the players. He stressed that the ultimate goal is for the national team to present a respectable and competitive image in international tournaments. He praised the Saudi national team's performance in the previous edition of the FIFA World Cup 2022, particularly the historic victory over Argentina, affirming that this achievement reflects the Saudi football team's ability to pull off major upsets when technical readiness and tactical discipline are present. He emphasized that the psychological aspect is a top priority to boost the players' self-confidence and their ability to compete against the strongest teams.
Medical and physical readiness of the players
Donis explained that he possesses a thorough understanding of the characteristics of Saudi players, based on his previous experience. He noted that his tenure as head coach began 36 days ago, during which time he contacted clubs and players to gather information about their medical conditions and held closed meetings with them. He confirmed that most players are in excellent shape, with the exception of Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who was recovering from a previous injury. He concluded by promising everyone hard work and instilling confidence and security in the players, emphasizing that mistakes are part of football, and the most important thing is to convey the right message and continuously improve to showcase the national team in the best possible light.
