As Saudi Arabia prepare to get their Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign up and running against Pakistan, one inclusion in Roberto Mancini’s squad has raised eyebrows across the country .
At just 16 years and 57 days, Al Ittihad forward Talal Haji has become the second-youngest player ever to be called up by the Green Falcons, behind only Ahmed Jamil, who made his debut in 1986 age 16 years and 53 days. The former Al Ittihad player went on to earn 117 caps.
By the time Saudi Arabia inevitably hosts the 2034 World Cup, for which it is the only bidder, Haji will, presumably, at age 27, be at the peak of his powers.
Among the current squad, he is perhaps the first name being nurtured with an eye on representing his nation at a home World Cup for the first time.
The rise of Haji over the past 18 months has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Having been spotted by scouts of his hometown club Al Ittihad, he was signed for the Under-17s side at the age of 14. He would soon establish himself as the main striker for the Saudi Arabia U17 national team, too.
In September 2022, he showed his natural scoring instinct in the Arab U17 Championships, leading Saudi Arabia to the semi-finals in Algeria and finishing the tournament as the top scorer with seven goals.
Nine months later, Haji was leading the line for the young Green Falcons in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Thailand, where his brace against Tajikistan helped Saudi Arabia advance to the quarter-finals.
Commenting on his performances in Thailand, Saudi Arabia U23 head coach Bandar Al Jaithan described Haji as the new Majid Abdullah, likening him to the nation’s all-time top scorer, who had led them to Asian Cup titles in 1984 and 1988 as well as World Cup qualification in 1994.
“His movement off the ball, his technical ability and his finishing with either foot, all of these things remind me of the early days of Majed Abdullah,” said Al Jaithan, who in October called up Haji to the U23 national team for the first time.
In Saudi football, praise for a striker doesn’t come higher than being compared to the man who bagged 72 goals in 117 appearances for the national team, and that admiration for Haji’s potential was not limited to Al Jaithan.
In March, former Al Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo invited Haji to train with the first team for the first time, well before his 16th birthday. And once the 2023/24 season began, Haji had officially been promoted to the senior ranks, making his first appearance in a Saudi Pro League matchday squad two days before turning 16 in September. A week later, he became the youngest player to feature in the SPL, coming on as a substitute for Brazilian forward Romarinho in the final minutes of the 2-1 win over Al Fateh, age 16 years and five days.
Haji’s senior football experience might be limited, but it is his combination of pace and physique that bely his age, as well as the level-headedness shown at every new experience, that makes him such an exciting prospect.
The first step towards leading the line for Saudi Arabia in 2034 starts on Thursday, and a potential debut against Pakistan.
Even if just for a few minutes, it would mark a historic moment for Haji and who knows, maybe for Saudi Arabian football.
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Racecard
2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m
2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m
3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m
4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m
5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m
The National selections:
2pm Arch Gold
2.30pm Conclusion
3pm Al Battar
3.30pm Golden Jaguar
4pm Al Motayar
4.30pm Tapi Sioux
5pm Leadership
5.30pm Dahawi
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
