Sultan Mandash's father: Proud of my son joining the national team for the 2026 World Cup
Overwhelming joy at Sultan Mandash joining the Green team's roster
The brilliant star Sultan Mandash, a player for Al-Hilal Club, is experiencing overwhelming joy, which he shared with his family and fans, following the official announcement by the Saudi national team coach, Donis, of his inclusion in the "Green Falcons" squad participating in the 2026 World Cup finals. This step is a culmination of the player's efforts and outstanding performances during the past period. The next edition of the World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, in a global sporting event eagerly anticipated by football fans worldwide.
He shone brightly with Al-Hilal and won the King's Cup
Sultan Mandash has proven his worth and shone brightly with Al-Hilal since joining the club during the last winter transfer window. His role wasn't limited to active participation; he also played a key part in his teammates' victory in the prestigious King's Cup this season. This significant domestic achievement served as a strong incentive for the national team's coaching staff, led by Donis, to select him to represent the country at the World Cup. Mandash now aspires to perform at his best and contribute to victories in the upcoming World Cup matches, ensuring a respectable showing befitting Saudi Arabian football.
Historical context and importance of the 2026 World Cup
The Saudi national team's participation in the 2026 World Cup is of paramount importance, not only because it is the most prestigious tournament in the world, but also because this edition will witness a historic event: the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams for the first time. This expansion gives Asian teams, especially Saudi Arabia, a greater opportunity to demonstrate their development and compete strongly to reach advanced stages. Participating in the North American World Cup presents a new challenge for the Green Falcons, who possess a rich legacy in World Cup tournaments, from their historic participation in the 1994 World Cup in the United States to their heroic performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and their historic victory over Argentina. This places a significant responsibility on the current generation to continue this legacy.
The development of Saudi football is supported by the wise leadership
In an exclusive interview with Okaz newspaper, Ahmed Mandash, the father of player Sultan, expressed his overwhelming joy, saying, “My happiness is indescribable at my son joining the Saudi national team for the upcoming World Cup.” He wished Sultan and his teammates a distinguished performance that would reflect the true and bright image of Saudi sports at the 2026 World Cup. Ahmed Mandash emphasized the prestigious position Saudi football has reached, praising the significant and remarkable development witnessed across the entire sports system. He attributed this progress to the unlimited and generous support from the wise leadership and the continuous and meticulous oversight from the sports authorities, who have provided all the necessary means to elevate Saudi football to international standards. He concluded by expressing his great optimism, affirming that, God willing, the national team will perform at the outstanding level befitting its stature and the aspirations of its fans at the upcoming World Cup.
