RIYADH: The Saudi national football team gathered at their training camp in Riyadh on Thursday to begin preparations for the upcoming Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup.
As the Green Falcons held their first training session on Thursday evening behind closed doors at Mahd Academy, members of the squad from Al-Nasser and Al-Hilal, who will meet in the final of the King’s Cup on Friday, were absent. They will join the national team’s preparations on Sunday after head coach Roberto Mancini gave them a day off on Saturday to recover.
The 31-player squad, announced by Mancini last week, will fly out on Wednesday for their game against Pakistan in Islamabad on June 6, and then host Jordan at Alwal park in Riyadh on June 11.
Saudi Arabia currently tops Group G of the Asian qualifiers, with 10 points from four games, ahead of Jordan (7 points) and Tajikistan (5). Pakistan are bottom of the group having lost all four games so far.
Saudi national football team prepares for Asian qualifiers
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Saudi national football team prepares for Asian qualifiers
- Players participating in the King’s Cup final between Al-Nasser and Al-Hilal on Friday will join the national squad on Sunday
- Green Falcons fly to Islamabad on Wednesday for their game against Pakistan on Thursday, and then host Jordan in Riyadh on June 11
Griezmann not moving to MLS this season, Atletico Madrid sporting director says
- The 34-year-old former France star had been linked to a transfer to Orlando City
- “He is going to continue with us and nothing more,” Alemany said
MADRID: Antoine Griezmann is not making an imminent move to Major League Soccer, according to the sporting director of Atletico Madrid.
The 34-year-old former France star had been linked to a transfer to Orlando City.
But Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany said Saturday that “he has this season and two more years with us. I don’t see any major news.”
“He is going to continue with us and nothing more,” Alemany said before Griezmann got an assist to help beat Real Sociedad 3-2 in La Liga.
Griezmann, 34, is Atletico’s all-time leading scorer. He helped France win the 2018 World Cup before retiring from international soccer in 2024.
He has lost his starring role with Diego Simeone’s side this year with his coach managing his minutes, but even so he has scored 12 goals this campaign in all competitions.
Atletico will play Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on April 18. Atletico are also third in the Spanish league and will play Tottenham in the Champions League round of 16 next week.
