The head coach of the Saudi Arabia U-23 national team, Italian Luigi Di Biagio, announced on Friday the final squad that will compete in the 2025 Gulf Cup for Olympic teams (U-23), which will be held in Qatar. This announcement comes amidst great anticipation from Saudi fans who have high hopes for this promising generation to continue the success of Saudi football at the continental level.
The Olympic Green squad: a blend of experience and talent
The squad selected by Di Biagio includes 23 players, carefully chosen to represent the Kingdom in this important Gulf tournament. The players are: Hamed Yousef, Turki Baljosh, Muhannad Al-Yahya, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Awad Dahal, Sulaiman Hazazi, Meshal Al-Alaily, Mohammed Al-Dossari, Abdulrahman Al-Obaid, Mohammed Barnawi, Mubarak Al-Rajih, Abdullah Maatouq, Abdulmalik Al-Ayiri, Fares Al-Ghamdi, Faisal Al-Subiani, Rakan Al-Ghamdi, Bassam Hazazi, Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, Saif Rajab, Majed Abdullah, Abdullah Radif, Talal Haji, and Thamer Al-Khaibri.
Historical background and importance of the tournament
The Gulf Cup for Olympic teams is a vital platform for developing young talent in the region, giving them the opportunity to gain experience and compete at a high level. For the Saudi national team, this participation is of particular importance. The Olympic Green Falcons enter the tournament as one of the strongest teams in the continent in this age group, and as the reigning champions of the 2022 AFC U-23 Championship – a historic achievement that underscores the quality of work being done in Saudi youth development. The tournament represents an opportunity for coach Di Biagio to test his players and assess their readiness before the more important challenges ahead, most notably the qualifiers for the Olympic Games and the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.
Expected impact and preparations for the competition
Domestically, this tournament is seen as a crucial step in preparing a new generation of players to form the core of the future national team, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for developing the sports sector. Regionally, the Gulf Cup competition is unique and highly competitive, and winning the title would enhance the standing of Saudi football in the region. To ensure optimal preparation, the national team will enter a training camp in Dammam on Sunday, November 30, before departing for Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, December 2. The tournament will officially take place from December 4 to 16.
A strong team and challenges ahead
The draw placed the under-23 national team in Group A, a tough group that also includes hosts Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The young Green Falcons are aiming for a strong performance, hoping to advance from the group stage and compete fiercely for the Gulf Cup title, which would serve as excellent preparation for upcoming continental and international competitions.
