Saudi Arabia Names 26-Man Gulf Cup 27 Squad

Saudi Arabia has confirmed a 26-player squad for the 2026 Gulf Cup 27, with the list drawing attention for the absence of two familiar names from the national team setup.

Winger Salem Al-Dawsari and defender Saud Abdulhamid were both left out of the squad due to injury. Al-Dawsari is unavailable after a knee-tendon injury that required surgery, while Abdulhamid is sidelined by a thigh-muscle hematoma sustained during his time with Lens.

The squad features goalkeepers Mohammed Al-Owais and Nawaf Al-Aqidi, alongside defenders and midfielders including Hamed Al-Shanqeeti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Jihad Zekri, Rayan Hamed, Hassan Kadesh, Hassan Tambakti, Nawaf Boushal, Mohammed Mahzari, Muteb Al-Harbi, Zakaria Hawsawi, Musab Al-Juwair, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Mohammed Kanno, Ziyad Al-Juhani, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Nasser Al-Dawsari and Abdullah Al-Salem.

In attack, the selection includes Alaa Haji, Sultan Mandash, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Hammam Al-Hamami, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Firas Al-Buraikan.

The Gulf Cup remains one of the most followed regional tournaments among fans across the Kingdom, and squad announcements often spark wide discussion in the community. The absence of two experienced players gives younger and emerging names an added chance to make an impact when the competition begins.

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