Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio, manager of the Saudi Arabia U-23 national team, announced the high ambitions of the young "Green Falcons" in the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship, currently being hosted by Saudi Arabia and running until January 24th. Di Biagio emphasized that the coaching staff and players have one unwavering goal: to win the continental title and capitalize on home advantage to deliver a performance worthy of Saudi football.
The Saudi national team is putting the final touches on its technical and physical preparations this evening, Monday, ahead of its opening match against Kyrgyzstan, scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, as part of the first round of competition. An atmosphere of optimism and seriousness prevails in the camp, as the coaching staff strives to ensure a strong start that will boost the team's chances in the later stages of the tournament.
High-level coordination and logistical support
During the press conference preceding the opening match, Di Biagio expressed his gratitude for the great support the team enjoys, saying: "I thank the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for providing all means of success and supporting us in this important tournament. Today our ranks are complete with the arrival of the last three players, and I must also thank the Saudi clubs for their fruitful cooperation, especially since the tournament is being held outside of the official FIFA days, yet the players were allowed to join the national team.".
In a related context, the Italian coach revealed a shared work strategy and ongoing coordination with Frenchman Hervé Renard, the coach of the Saudi national team. Di Biagio explained, "We are always in coordination with Coach Renard, who closely follows all age groups. We work as a unified system and a close-knit family, and we currently have eight players under the age of 20, which serves our vision of building a long-term strategy that ensures a continuous flow of talent to the senior national team.".
The importance of the tournament and the future of Saudi football
This edition of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup is of exceptional importance, not only because it is being held in Saudi Arabia, but also because it comes at a time when Saudi sports are witnessing a comprehensive renaissance within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These tournaments are considered the true factory for the stars who will carry the banner of Saudi football in the upcoming major international events, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Historically, the Saudi national team has proven its dominance in this age group, having previously won the continental title and delivered impressive performances in the Olympic Games. The current squad's focus on young players (under 20) demonstrates the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's forward-thinking strategy, aimed at ensuring the continuity of generations and preserving the technical identity of Saudi national teams.
The Saudi sports community hopes that the Kyrgyzstan match will be the gateway to the podium, as everyone realizes that strong starts give confidence to the players and send a strong message to the competitors that the Green team is determined to keep the cup in Riyadh.
