Saudi Arabia's national team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup: The US training camp begins under the leadership of Donis

In a significant step towards achieving footballing ambitions, the head coach of the Saudi national football team, Giorgos Donis, has begun leading intensive training sessions for the Green Falcons at their current training camp in the United States. These preparations will continue until June 10th, representing the fourth and final phase of the comprehensive program designed to prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Historical context and the importance of the American camp

The presence of the Saudi national team in the United States holds a special historical significance for Saudi football. In 1994, the Saudi team achieved an unprecedented feat by reaching the Round of 16 in the World Cup held on American soil. Today, the Green Falcons return to the same environment to acclimatize early to the climatic and geographical conditions, especially since the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This early preparation reflects the strategic vision of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to ensure the players' physical and technical readiness and to build upon past successes, particularly after their impressive performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and their historic victory over Argentina.

Ecuador friendly: A true test of the Green Falcons' abilities

Coach Donis aims to maximize the technical benefits of this training camp, focusing on preparing the Saudi national team for their first friendly match against Ecuador. The match is scheduled for next Sunday at 2:30 AM Mecca time at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. This encounter is part of the first phase of the preparatory program in New York. The importance of playing against South American teams lies in gaining experience against a style of football characterized by physicality and high skill, which will raise the competitive readiness of the Saudi players at the international level.

Saudi national team roster for the training camp

The squad called up by the technical staff included 29 players representing a mix of experience and youth, namely: Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Ahmed Al-Kassar, Abdul-Quddus Atiyah, Abdul-Ilah Al-Amri, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Jihad Zikri, Ali Lajami, Hassan Kadash, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Ali Majrashi, Mutaib Al-Harbi, Nawaf Boushal, Zakaria Hawsawi, Mohammed Kanno, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Ziyad Al-Juhani, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Musab Al-Juwair, Alaa Al-Hajji, Salem Al-Dawsari, Khaled Al-Ghannam, Ayman Yahya, Sultan Mandash, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdullah Al-Salem, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan.

The crisis of Saud Abdulhamid's absence and the intervention of official authorities

Meanwhile, international star Saud Abdulhamid did not accompany the Saudi national team on their trip to the United States. In an official statement, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation confirmed that the player was in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with his family for his wedding. While there, his vehicle was broken into, resulting in the loss of his personal belongings, including his passport.

This unforeseen incident delayed Abdulhamid's joining the national team's training camp during the final phase of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, as he was unable to arrive in Riyadh on Monday despite his confirmed prior booking. In a swift response, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, in direct coordination with the Ministry of Sport, is closely monitoring the investigation into the matter. Furthermore, they are in constant communication with the Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to facilitate the issuance of the necessary documents to ensure the player's swift arrival to the team.

Final stage: Austin as headquarters

According to the approved schedule, the Saudi national team will enter a crucial phase of preparations on June 10th, with the "Green Falcons" delegation taking up its main base in Austin during the period of participation in the 2026 World Cup finals. This strategic choice of base aims to provide a stable and ideal environment for the players, ensuring their complete focus and performance at the best levels to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a manner befitting its regional and international sporting standing.