Saudi U-21 Trains in Japan for Asian Games 2026

The Saudi Arabia U-21 national football team is currently holding a training camp in Japan as it prepares for the football competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which will run from 15 September to 3 October 2026. The squad arrived in Japan in mid-September and has been conducting daily sessions under head coach Luigi Di Biagio and his technical staff.

Training has combined fitness drills, tactical exercises, and practice matches played on half the pitch. In recent sessions, the coaching staff has focused on tactical work, set-piece routines, and match-situational preparation as the team gears up for its opening game against Qatar.

The camp forms part of a broader multi-sport gathering for Saudi athletes in Fuji City, Japan, running from 29 August to 3 October 2026. The U-21 delegation's participation and logistics are organized and overseen by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

An age-restricted squad

The football competition at the Games is limited to U-21 players. Saudi Arabia has named a 23-man squad, with a significant number of players drawn from domestic clubs including Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Ahli, and Al-Fateh.

For Saudi football fans, the camp offers an early look at a generation of emerging talent. Continental tournaments like the Asian Games are an important step in the development of young players, giving them competitive experience against strong regional rivals and a platform to earn future call-ups to the senior national team.

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