Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has decided to include young duo Haider Abdulkarim and Abdulmalik Al-Jaber in the squad traveling to Turkmenistan for their upcoming match against Erkudu. This decision comes as part of the coaching staff's efforts to bolster tactical options and provide depth to the squad before the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

Al-Nasr's preparations for the Asian competition

The Al-Nassr first team squad will depart for Turkmenistan in the coming hours, where they will prepare for a crucial match tomorrow, Wednesday. This match holds particular significance as it falls within the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, a tournament Al-Nassr is determined to win, capitalizing on the current momentum in Saudi football and the remarkable improvement in the level of its clubs both domestically and continentally.

Winter reinforcements and a return to participation

The squad list included Iraqi professional Haider Abdulkarim, who joined Al-Nassr during the recent winter transfer window. Al-Nassr fans and the coaching staff are counting on the Iraqi player's abilities to provide the necessary technical boost in midfield and attack. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Abdulmalik Al-Jaber marks a welcome return for the player after a period of absence from the official squad due to a lack of match fitness, giving the coach additional options for rotating players and managing workload amidst a congested fixture schedule.

The importance of the match and the continental context

The match against Turkmenistan's Arkadağ will be a true test of Al-Nassr's ability to adapt to different environments and play away from home in continental competitions. This match comes at a time when Saudi clubs are clearly dominating the Asian scene, supported by a national sports strategy aimed at raising the level of competitiveness and placing the Saudi league and Saudi clubs among the world's elite. A victory in the first leg will make the team's task easier in the return leg and bring them one step closer to achieving the continental title, which is one of the main objectives for the current season.

Through these options, Jesus seeks to create a balance between experience and youth, and to ensure that all players are ready to participate at any time, especially in light of the challenges posed by the busy schedule of matches locally and in Asia.

The Egyptian Football Association has put an end to the controversy that has recently arisen on social media platforms and in some media outlets regarding the truth of the cancellation of the Egyptian Premier League for the 2025/2026 football season, categorically denying the validity of this news, and confirming that the idea of ​​canceling the competition was not even raised for discussion within the corridors of the Football Association or the League of Clubs.

Official statements put an end to the rumors

In this context, Mustafa Abu Zahra, a member of the Egyptian Football Association's board of directors, stressed that talk of canceling the league is "completely out of the question" and unacceptable in both form and substance. In his televised remarks on CBC channel, he explained that the competition is governed by substantial contractual obligations, including sponsorship deals, television broadcasting rights, and the clubs' commitments to their players and coaching staff, as well as the rights of referees and the sponsoring company whose name the competition bears.

Abu Zahra questioned, denouncing the rumors: "Do we have a pandemic like Corona that would make us think about canceling the league?", pointing out that the current circumstances are normal and do not warrant taking exceptional, disastrous decisions that could harm the football industry in Egypt.

The organizational and administrative context of the tournament

From an organizational standpoint, the board member clarified the difference in responsibilities, noting that the Professional Clubs Association is directly responsible for managing the Egyptian Premier League, while the Egyptian Football Association's role is limited to setting general policies for Egyptian football and overseeing the national teams and referees' committees. He emphasized the existence of full and continuous coordination between the Federation, the Association, and the Egyptian national team's coaching staff to ensure the smooth running of the competition in a way that serves the national team's best interests.

The historical and economic importance of the Egyptian league

The Egyptian Premier League holds special significance beyond being merely a sporting competition; it is one of the oldest leagues in the Arab world and Africa, having launched its first edition in 1948. The continuity of the league is a cornerstone of the sporting and economic stability of popular clubs and sports institutions in Egypt. Furthermore, the cancellation of the league, should it occur, would lead to legal disputes with sponsors and substantial financial losses, in addition to negatively impacting the rankings of Egyptian clubs and their participation in continental tournaments organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Supporting the national team and stability

Abu Zahra concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the Egyptian football system operates as a unified team, denying the existence of any internal disputes or crises. He pointed out that the ultimate goal for everyone at this stage is to provide the appropriate environment to support the Egyptian national team in its international competitions, stressing that the Egyptian league enjoys a wide following both inside and outside Egypt, and that there is no room for irresponsible talk that threatens the stability of the region's biggest competition.

Tickets for the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ettifaq match are experiencing record demand, with sales expected to sell out completely within the next few hours. This surge in demand is fueled by the unparalleled enthusiasm of Al-Hilal fans, who are vying to secure their seats for the highly anticipated encounter. The Kingdom Arena, a magnificent architectural landmark in Riyadh, is set to open its doors on Friday evening to host this crucial match, part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League.

The latest official statistics indicate that more than 25,000 tickets have been purchased so far, reflecting the immense importance of the match to the sporting public. This massive turnout stems from the fans' belief in the significance of this stage of the league, as they strive to create a complete blue display in the stands to support and motivate the players to continue their winning streak and maintain their position at the top of the table.

This match takes on added importance given the fiercely contested league standings, with Al-Hilal currently leading the Roshan League with 50 points. However, their lead is far from secure, as their arch-rivals Al-Nassr are in second place with 49 points, just one point behind. Therefore, a victory against Al-Ettifaq is crucial for coach Jesus's men to maintain their top spot and avoid any slip-up that could hand the lead to their direct competitor.

On the star front, fans are eagerly anticipating two key events this evening. The first is the celebration of Portuguese star Rúben Neves, who will be making his debut after officially renewing his contract, a significant morale boost for the team's midfield. The second event, as mentioned in the report, is the first appearance of star Karim Benzema at the Kingdom Arena, adding a special dimension and extra excitement to the highly anticipated match.

On the ground, Al-Hilal's delegation arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday morning from the United Arab Emirates, following a hard-fought match that ended in a draw against Shabab Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League. Al-Hilal's coaching staff aims to utilize the few days before the match to ensure the players' recovery and prepare them physically and mentally for the transition from the Asian competition to the fierce domestic league, guaranteeing a performance worthy of the expectations of the large fan base.