The national team delegation departed this Sunday afternoon via King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, heading to the Czech capital, Prague, to hold a preparatory camp during the FIFA days of September. This is part of their preparations to compete in the Asian playoff qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals, scheduled to be held in October in the city of Jeddah.

The Green team is scheduled to play two friendly matches during the camp. They will meet the Macedonia national team on September 4th at the Viktoria Žižkov Stadium, and will face the Czech national team on September 8th at the Malšovická Stadium.

The national team’s technical director, Hervé Renard, had called up 26 players for the camp, including: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mohammed Kanno, Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Firas Al-Buraikan, before deciding to exclude player Ayman Yahya after he sustained an injury with his club.

According to prior coordination, Al-Ahli club players will join the Green delegation tomorrow, Monday, after completing their participation with their club in the Round of 32 of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup.

It is worth mentioning that the national team is in Group Two of the Asian playoff qualifiers alongside the national teams of Iraq and Indonesia.

King Khalid International Airport

King Khalid International Airport is a major international airport located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which opened in 1983 to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims and travelers. It was named after King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and is renowned for its distinctive architecture, including its main terminal designed to resemble a traditional Bedouin tent.

Prague

Prague is the historic capital of the Czech Republic, renowned for its stunning architecture that spans a millennium, from the Romanesque and Gothic eras to the Baroque and Art Nouveau periods. Often called “the City of a Hundred Spires,” its iconic landmarks include the 9th-century Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, which was completed in the early 15th century.

FIFA

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body for the sport of soccer (football), founded in Paris in 1904 to oversee international competition. It is best known for organizing major global tournaments, most famously the FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930.

2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not a single place but a major international sporting event that will be hosted jointly across 16 cities in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and is historic for being the first tournament hosted by three nations.

Jeddah

Jeddah is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, historically serving as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. Its historic district, Al-Balad, features centuries-old coral houses and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its long history as a vibrant trading hub.

Viktoria Žižkov Stadium

The Viktoria Žižkov Stadium, located in Prague, is the historic home of the FK Viktoria Žižkov football club, which was founded in 1903. The stadium itself has a long and storied history, having undergone numerous renovations, and is known for its unique atmosphere and steep, intimate stands that are built very close to the pitch.

Malšovická Stadium

The Malšovická Stadium is a multi-purpose sports facility located in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, primarily used for football. It is the home ground of the local club FC Hradec Králové and was originally constructed in the 1960s. The stadium has undergone several renovations to modernize its facilities and increase its capacity for spectators.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup is the premier annual football (soccer) knockout tournament in Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1957 and is named in honor of the Saudi monarch, who holds the title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in reference to the Islamic holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The cup’s long history and prestigious name make it one of the most significant competitions in Saudi sports.