Saudi Arabia Call-Up Offers Jens Wissing’s Al-Ittihad a Vote of Confidence
Al-Ittihad may have stumbled in recent matches, but the club’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s national team squad suggests its players remain highly regarded. Head coach Georgios Donis has selected four Al-Ittihad footballers for the Green Falcons’ upcoming November training camp, a notable increase from the club’s representation during the previous international break.
The selections also provide a measure of support for Al-Ittihad coach Jens Wissing, whose team has faced criticism after a draw in the Saudi Pro League and a heavy defeat in continental competition. While recent results have raised questions, Donis’s choices point to the depth and quality still available within the squad—and offer fans fresh talking points for their football predictions ahead of the international fixtures.
Four Al-Ittihad Players Named in Donis’s Final Squad
Donis announced his final 30-man squad on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to play South Korea and Uzbekistan in friendly matches on November 13 and 17. The games will give the national team an opportunity to test its options against strong opposition while continuing preparations for future competitive commitments.
Al-Ittihad are represented by left-back Fares Abdi, midfielders Moukhtar Ali and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, and right winger Marwan Al-Sahafi. Their inclusion reflects a broader spread of talent across the team, with players selected from defence, midfield and attack.
The four call-ups mark a clear rise from the previous international window, when Donis chose only two Al-Ittihad players for the Arabian Gulf Cup, known as “Gulf 27.” Moukhtar Ali was included on that occasion and has retained his place, while defender Hassan Kadesh—also selected previously—misses out this time because of an injury sustained during the last international break.
What the selections say about Al-Ittihad
National-team call-ups are not a direct measure of a club’s overall form, but they can offer a useful indication of which players are impressing coaches. The increased Al-Ittihad contingent suggests Donis sees several members of Wissing’s squad as valuable options for Saudi Arabia, even as the club works through a difficult patch.
Each selection also gives the players a chance to build experience and strengthen their standing at both club and international level. For Al-Ittihad, that could prove beneficial when the squad returns to domestic action: players who perform well in camp may bring added confidence, sharper match fitness and renewed competition for starting places.
Recent Results Put Wissing’s Team Under Pressure
The call-ups arrive after a mixed spell for Al-Ittihad. In their latest Saudi Roshn League outing, the team drew 1-1 with Abha, dropping points in a match where they would have hoped to maintain momentum. Their next result was more damaging: Al-Ittihad suffered a 4-1 loss to UAE club Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The contrast between the two competitions is striking. In the league, Al-Ittihad remain fourth with 24 points from seven wins, three draws and one defeat. Their only league loss came against Al-Hilal, the runaway leaders, who sit six points clear at the top. That record keeps Al-Ittihad in contention near the upper end of the table, although the gap to first place leaves little room for further dropped points.
Continental football has been more challenging. Al-Ittihad are tenth in the West group standings, having collected four points from one win, one draw and two defeats. The heavy loss to Al-Ain underlined the scale of the task facing Wissing’s side as it seeks to improve its position and regain consistency in Asia.
League Form and Continental Ambitions Tell Different Stories
Al-Ittihad’s domestic position shows that the team has been capable of producing results over the course of the league campaign. Seven victories from 11 matches represent a solid foundation, and the club remain close enough to the leading group to make the coming fixtures important in the title race. However, the draw with Abha and the defeat to Al-Ain have intensified scrutiny over the team’s ability to turn promising spells into reliable performances.
For Wissing, the challenge is not simply to respond to one disappointing result. He must find a balance between maintaining the team’s league form and addressing the defensive and tactical issues exposed in the Champions League Elite. The November break offers a pause in the club schedule, though the absence of four players on international duty may also affect training plans.
The national-team experience could nevertheless help Al-Ittihad’s selected players return with greater confidence. Moukhtar Ali will be looking to build on his continued involvement, while Abdi, Al-Ghamdi and Al-Sahafi will have an opportunity to make an impression in a competitive camp. Their performances may also influence selection decisions when Saudi Arabia faces South Korea and Uzbekistan.
November Friendlies Add Another Test for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s two friendlies offer Donis a chance to evaluate his squad against different styles of opposition. South Korea are a major force in Asian football, while Uzbekistan have continued to establish themselves as a competitive regional side. For the Saudi coach, the matches will be useful not only for assessing form but also for testing combinations and deciding how best to use his available attacking and midfield options.
For Al-Ittihad supporters, the larger club presence in the squad is an encouraging sign amid a frustrating run of results. It does not erase the concerns raised by the recent performances, particularly in Asia, but it reinforces the view that the club still possesses players capable of contributing at a high level.
The immediate focus will be on whether Wissing can translate that individual quality into stronger team displays. Al-Ittihad’s league standing remains respectable, but their continental campaign needs a response. As fans assess upcoming fixtures and make their football predictions, the key question is whether the national-team recognition can become a springboard for renewed momentum when club action resumes.
