Saudi football is entering a pivotal and crucial phase of challenge and hard work, as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, led by Yasser Al-Misehal and his colleagues, faces historic obligations that allow no room for half-measures. We have reached a stage that demands reaping the rewards of planning and returning to the podium, especially after a long absence of 31 years from Asian titles and 23 years since the last Gulf Cup victory. These lean years present those in charge of Saudi football with a significant challenge to restore the prestige of the national team and bring joy to the fans who are thirsting for gold.

Memories of 1994 and the challenge of the 2026 World Cup

There is no doubt that 2026 will be an exceptional and challenging year for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, as the focus will be on preparing the Saudi national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. This participation holds special significance, as it evokes the unforgettable memories of the 1994 World Cup in the USA, when the Saudi team delivered its strongest performance in history, reaching the Round of 16 as the first Arab team to achieve this feat in that era, making headlines worldwide.

Hervé Renard are under positive pressure to repeat or surpass that achievement, and avoid an early exit, in order to present an image befitting the great development that Saudi sports are witnessing.

Regional and continental commitments: Gulf Cup 27 and Asian Cup

The wheels of progress won't turn with the World Cup. Just three months after the finals, all eyes will be on Jeddah, which will host the Gulf Cup (Gulf 27) . This event represents a golden opportunity to break the drought of major tournaments and reclaim Gulf dominance. The tournament will serve as a true "dress rehearsal" and ideal preparation for the biggest and most historic event: Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup for the first time in its history.

Hosting the Asian Cup is considered the real test for the players and the coaching staff, as the home ground and the fans will be contributing factors to achieving the continental dream that has been absent for decades.

Wise leadership and unlimited government support

Professor Yasser Al-Mishal has demonstrated exceptional administrative skill in handling the pressures from the sports community, prioritizing calm and methodical work over impulsive decisions. Over the past few months, the federation has developed a comprehensive plan that includes overseas training camps in America and high-quality friendly matches, with a focus on selecting players possessing the fighting spirit to represent the nation.

This ambitious project is supported by the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – and the unlimited support of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – may God protect him – for the sports sector, and football in particular. This support is evident in the project to attract international stars, which has brought about a qualitative leap in the Saudi League, positively impacting the experience of Saudi players and raising their technical level.

In conclusion, the next stage requires everyone to join forces – media, fans, and technical staff – to support the Saudi Federation and the national team, and to forget about club colors for the sake of the nation’s emblem, so that the Saudi Green returns as the master of the Asian continent and the gold podiums.

In a new sporting achievement added to the club's illustrious history, Al-Qadisiyah Handball Club of Saudi Arabia was crowned champion of the First Division League, concluding an exceptional season during which the team displayed high levels of skill, confirming its absolute right to ascend to the top tier and claim the title. This victory was not a coincidence, but rather the result of meticulous administrative and technical planning, coupled with the players' unwavering desire to restore Al-Qadisiyah handball's prestige.

With this well-deserved achievement, Al-Qadisiyah Club has become a strong candidate to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup Winners' Cup Handball Championship. This step reflects the club's growing presence on the sports scene and opens the door to a new regional challenge through which "Banu Qadis" aspire to continue the series of successes and represent Saudi football in an honorable manner befitting the great development witnessed by the sports sector in the Kingdom.

The spirit returns to the stronghold of Saudi handball

Al-Qadisiyah's return and subsequent crowning as First Division champions holds particular significance given the sporting landscape of handball in the Kingdom; the Eastern Province is the historical and primary stronghold of the sport. Al-Qadisiyah's presence as champions and strong contenders intensifies the competition in local tournaments, especially with the presence of established clubs like Al-Noor, Al-Khaleej, and Mudhar. Al-Qadisiyah's entry into the spotlight and international competitions raises the technical level of the Saudi league and benefits the national teams, which rely heavily on players from clubs in the Eastern Province.

Dimensions of the anticipated Gulf participation

Qualifying for the Gulf Cup Winners' Cup is not merely an honorary participation, but a true test of the team's technical and physical capabilities against strong Gulf handball schools, particularly the Bahraini, Qatari, and Kuwaiti clubs, which have a long history in the sport. This step aligns with the comprehensive sports development underway in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030, which aims to raise the competitiveness of Saudi clubs and enable them to win continental and regional titles.

Technical and administrative stability

This achievement reflects the stability Al-Qadsia Club has recently enjoyed, as the club's management has proven its ability to build competitive teams in various sports, not just football. This diversity of accomplishments underscores the comprehensive developmental vision of the club, promising a bright future for Al-Qadsia handball, which is now expected not only to remain among the elite but also to compete for local titles and represent the nation with distinction in Gulf and Arab competitions.

London – In statements reflecting potential leadership changes within the corridors of Anfield, Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool FC and its veteran center-back, praised his Hungarian international teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, considering him the most prominent candidate to carry the captain's armband in the near future, in light of the great development shown by the player during a difficult season faced by the English Premier League title holder.

Remarkable development and multiple roles

Szoboszlai, 25, has proven his worth as a key player in Dutch coach Arne Slot's squad. He hasn't limited himself to attacking midfield duties, but has also demonstrated great tactical flexibility by filling in at right-back when needed to cover defensive gaps. His efforts were rewarded with his tenth goal of the season in the resounding 3-0 victory over Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Hungarian star is steadily approaching equaling or surpassing his best goal tally in his career (12 goals), which he previously achieved with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in the 2019-2020 season, reflecting his footballing maturity and complete adaptation to the difficult atmosphere of English football.

Praise from the "Egyptian King" and the future of leadership

The praise wasn't limited to captain Virgil van Dijk; Egyptian international Mohamed Salah joined in, describing Szoboszlai as "one of the best players in the world right now," emphasizing the significant technical value he brings to the team. These comments come at a sensitive time regarding Liverpool's leadership hierarchy, as Scottish left-back Andy Robertson (who turns 32 next month) is the team's second captain. However, the uncertainty surrounding his future, with his contract nearing its end at the conclusion of the current season, has fueled speculation about who will be the next captain.

When asked about the possibility of Szoboszlai taking over the captaincy, Van Dijk's response was clear and encouraging: “That decision rests with the manager, Arne Slott, but yes, I think he is capable of taking the next step and becoming captain of this team. Leadership starts with setting an example on the pitch, which Dominic has done exceptionally well this season.” The Dutch defender added: “Everything surrounding leadership requires further development and experience, and that’s perfectly normal and a good thing. We hope he will be a key player for Liverpool for many years to come.”.

League challenges and Endo's injury

These discussions about the future come at a time when Liverpool are suffering from inconsistent results in the league, with the team in sixth place, a significant 17 points behind leaders Arsenal, making the focus on domestic cups and building a team for the future.

Meanwhile, the team is still awaiting a final diagnosis of the foot injury suffered by Japanese international Wataru Endo, the tenacious midfielder who has also been forced to play at right-back due to the team's injury woes. Despite only making 12 appearances, mostly as a substitute, Van Dijk emphasized his importance, saying: “It’s a huge shame. Endo is a very respected and important player, and one of the leaders who guides by example and hard work. It’s a big blow for us, but we hope his absence won’t be long, although the indications suggest he will need some time to recover.”.