In a move reflecting the ambitious goals of Saudi football, the Green Falcons (B) camp its intensive training in Jeddah as part of a comprehensive preparation program aimed at getting the national team ready for upcoming competitions. These preparations are taking place concurrently with the senior national team's training, forming the third phase of the long-term strategic plan dedicated to preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, utilizing the FIFA-approved international break in March.
Details of the Green (B) camp at King Abdullah Sports City
On Thursday evening, the national team (B) players held a rigorous training session at the King Abdullah Sports City (The Shining Jewel) auxiliary stadium in Jeddah. The session was led by Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio, with the direct presence and supervision of the first team's head coach, Frenchman Hervé Renard, highlighting the strong coordination between the two coaching staffs. The session began with traditional warm-up exercises to improve fitness levels, followed by intensive drills focusing on ball possession and quick passing between the lines. The players then practiced various tactical exercises before concluding the session with a spirited scrimmage on two-thirds of the pitch to implement tactical plays.
Training activities are scheduled to continue, with the national team (B) holding another training session tomorrow evening, Friday, at the same auxiliary pitch in King Abdullah Sports City. This session will be completely closed to the media in order to ensure greater focus and the implementation of specific tactics away from the public eye.
Strategic context: The journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
This training camp is part of a broader technical vision aimed at building a solid foundation of players ready to represent the nation. Historically, the Saudi national team has proven its dominance in Asia through its repeated qualifications for the World Cup finals, most recently its outstanding participation in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which witnessed a historic victory over Argentina. With the increased number of participating teams in the 2026 edition, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the need to broaden the selection pool has become more pressing. Therefore, the idea of forming a reserve team (B) emerged to serve as a primary feeder for the first team, ensuring a continuous flow of talent and preparing substitutes with the same level of skill as the starters.
Sporting significance and expected impact locally and internationally
This strategic approach is of paramount importance on several levels. Domestically, this program provides numerous talented young players in the Saudi League with the opportunity to prove their worth, gain international experience, and engage with world-class training methodologies. Regionally and internationally, these preparations reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a leading football power in the Middle East and Asia. These steps are doubly significant given the Kingdom's preparations to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and its serious efforts to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, making the development of a strong and sustainable footballing generation a national objective that transcends mere participation in a single tournament. It extends to charting a roadmap for a bright future for Saudi football.
