Injury blow as Green Falcons prepare for Asian qualifiers

An injury to winger Salem Al-Dawsari has hit the Saudi national team’s preparation in Al-Ahsa for the second stage of Asian qualifiers to the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup. (Supplied)
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Updated 14 November 2023
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Injury blow as Green Falcons prepare for Asian qualifiers

  • Winger Salem Al-Dawsari to miss the action due to an ankle injury
  • Hassan Al-Tambakti back in training with teammates

AL-AHSA: An injury to winger Salem Al-Dawsari has hit the Saudi national team’s preparation in Al-Ahsa for the second stage of Asian qualifiers to the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup.
The Green Falcons’ head coach Roberto Mancini has given Al-Dawsari permission to leave the side’s training camp to receive treatment on an ankle injury that the player received while playing for Al-Hilal against Al-Taawoun.
The player was ruled unfit to participate in upcoming qualification matches following checks by the team’s medical staff, and will now receive treatment at his club.
However, Al-Hilal’s Hassan Al-Tambakti is back in training after suffering health issues on Monday, although teammate Yasser Al-Shahrani was missing from the session due to muscle pain.
The Green Falcons were expected to continue their program with an evening training session at Al-Fateh Sports Club at 5:30 p.m.


Neymar extends Santos deal through 2026, eyeing World Cup return

Updated 07 January 2026
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Neymar extends Santos deal through 2026, eyeing World Cup return

  • The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key ‌role in ‌their survival in ‌the ⁠Brazilian ​top ‌flight
  • The former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain star, Brazil’s all-time ​top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time ⁠World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall

SAO PAULO: Neymar has agreed to extend his contract with Santos until the end of 2026, ​the Brazilian club said on Tuesday, as he maintains hopes of a World Cup call-up despite recent injuries.

The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key ‌role in ‌their survival in ‌the ⁠Brazilian ​top ‌flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.

“Santos is my place, I’m at home,” Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club’s social media. “It’s with you that I ⁠want to achieve the dreams that are ‌still missing,” he added, ‍referring to Santos’ ‍fans.

Neymar, who has long struggled with ‍injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month.

The former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain star, Brazil’s all-time ​top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time ⁠World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall.

Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C of the World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the US.