The head coach of the Saudi national football team, Frenchman Hervé Renard, and his coaching staff have begun closely monitoring the performance of Al-Ahli's young defender, Zakaria Hawsawi. This intensive monitoring is part of the preparations for the national team's upcoming training camp, where Renard aims to fully assess the player's technical and physical readiness before making a decision on whether to include him in the final squad for the upcoming competitions.
This move is part of Renard's ongoing strategy to rejuvenate the national team and inject young talent capable of executing his tactical ideas, particularly in the back line, which demands high discipline and exceptional physical abilities. According to press reports, Hawsawi is receiving special attention from the French coach due to his impressive technical skills and confident performances in recent matches with his club, which aligns with Renard's vision of building a solid and cohesive defense for the future.
Strategic context after the World Cup achievement
This interest follows the Saudi national team's historic participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which saw them achieve a resounding victory over Argentina, the eventual champions. This performance raised expectations among fans and officials alike, placing the onus on Renard to maintain this momentum and build upon it for the future. The search for new talents like Hawsawi is an integral part of a long-term plan aimed at preparing a strong team to compete for continental titles, most notably the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, thus underscoring the importance of building a young and powerful squad.
The importance of choice and its expected impact
Domestically, Renard's interest in Hawsawi represents a significant morale boost for the young player, motivating him to perform at his best in the remaining rounds of the Saudi Professional League as he strives to secure a starting position in the Green Falcons' lineup. This potential selection also reflects the strength of emerging talents in the increasingly competitive Saudi league. Regionally, bolstering the Saudi national team with promising defensive players reinforces its position as a leading footballing force in Asia and sends a strong message to rivals that the Green Falcons are continuing to develop and prepare rigorously for upcoming challenges. The upcoming national team roster is expected to see minor changes, focusing on the most consistent and prepared players at their respective clubs, to ensure the selection of the optimal squad capable of fulfilling the aspirations of Saudi football.
