• Salman Alfaraj of Saudi Arabia in action during the World Cup qualifier against China at Sharjah Stadium. The match finished 1-1. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Salman Alfaraj of Saudi Arabia in action during the World Cup qualifier against China at Sharjah Stadium. The match finished 1-1. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Salman Alfaraj is surrounded by China players.
    Salman Alfaraj is surrounded by China players.
  • Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard.
    Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard.
  • Saudi Arabia and China in action during the World Cup qualifier at Sharjah Stadium.
    Saudi Arabia and China in action during the World Cup qualifier at Sharjah Stadium.
  • Fahad Mosaed Al Muwallad of Saudi Arabia in action.
    Fahad Mosaed Al Muwallad of Saudi Arabia in action.
  • Players of China and Saudi Arabia before the start of the World Cup qualifier.
    Players of China and Saudi Arabia before the start of the World Cup qualifier.
  • Saleh Khalid Al Shehri celebrates opening the scoring.
    Saleh Khalid Al Shehri celebrates opening the scoring.
  • Saleh Khalid Al Shehri celebrates opening the scoring.
    Saleh Khalid Al Shehri celebrates opening the scoring.
  • Hao Junmin of China.
    Hao Junmin of China.
  • Mohammed Kanno of Saudi Arabia.
    Mohammed Kanno of Saudi Arabia.
  • Zhu Chen Jie scores from the penalty spot.
    Zhu Chen Jie scores from the penalty spot.
  • China celebrates scoring an equaliser.
    China celebrates scoring an equaliser.
  • Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari tries to head the ball.
    Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari tries to head the ball.
  • Saleh Khalid Al Shehri in action for Saudi Arabia.
    Saleh Khalid Al Shehri in action for Saudi Arabia.
  • Salem Al Dawsari on Saudi Arabia.
    Salem Al Dawsari on Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia confirm Abu Dhabi training camp ahead of Fifa World Cup 2022


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia have confirmed their next training camp ahead of the Fifa World Cup will take place in Abu Dhabi and will feature five friendly matches.

The national team, getting set for a sixth global finals, will hold the third phase of preparations in the UAE capital from next Monday until November 10.

The get-together will include friendlies against North Macedonia, Albania, Honduras, Iceland and Panama. Those matches fall on October 22, 26, 30 and November 6 and 10, respectively. The Macedonia and Panama friendlies will be played at Zayed Sports City, while Saudi will face Albania and Honduras at Al Nahyan Stadium. The Iceland match will be held at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.

On Wednesday, manager Herve Renard named a provisional 32-man squad for the Abu Dhabi camp, headlined by Al Hilal captain Salman Al Faraj and club teammate Salem Al Dawsari. Mohammed Kanno, Fahad Al Muwallad and Nawaf Al Abed have also been included.

Saudi, who contest consecutive World Cup finals following a 12-year absence until 2018, have been drawn in Group C in Qatar. They kick off their campaign against Argentina on November 22 before taking on Poland four days later. They round off the group on November 30, against Mexico.

Updated: October 12, 2022, 3:26 PM