Saudi Arabia Names 27-Man Squad for World Cup Camp

Saudi Arabia's national football team has named a 27-man squad for a training camp in the Czech Republic, running from August 31 to September 8, as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup playoff round. The team departs Riyadh on August 31 from King Khalid International Airport.

The camp features two international friendlies: a match against North Macedonia on September 4 in Prague, followed by a fixture against hosts Czech Republic on September 8 in Hradec Králové. The matches are intended to sharpen the squad ahead of decisive qualifying games later this year.

The roster includes several familiar names, among them Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohammed Kanno, Saleh Al-Shehri, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Hassan Tambakti, Ali Majrashi, Ayman Yahya, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, and Firas Al-Buraikan.

Why it matters

The European camp is a stepping stone toward the October playoff fixtures set to be held in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia will face Iraq and Indonesia. Those matches are crucial to the team's bid to reach the 2026 World Cup.

For fans across Riyadh, Jeddah, and beyond, the camp offers an early look at the squad's form and combinations before the pressure of home playoff games. With the friendlies against North Macedonia and the Czech Republic providing competitive tests abroad, the coming weeks will shape expectations ahead of a pivotal autumn for the national team.

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