Saudi Arabia boss Giorgos Donis to announce Gulf 27 squad on Wednesday

Giorgos Donis is expected to name his Saudi Arabia squad for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday, one week before the tournament begins in Jeddah.

The Saudi Al Ekhbariya channel reported that the Greek head coach will reveal the final list of players selected for the competition after tomorrow, Wednesday. The tournament will be hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 23 September to 6 October.

Donis faces several important selection decisions before confirming his squad, with Saudi Arabia already certain to be without captain Salem Al-Dawsari. The influential forward will miss the tournament because of injury.

There is also uncertainty over the availability of right-back Saud Abdulhamid, whose possible absence would further limit Donis’ options as he prepares the squad for the regional competition.

Saudi Arabia will enter the tournament aiming to win the title for the first time in 23 years. The national team last lifted the Arabian Gulf Cup in 2003 and has not claimed the trophy since.

The hosts have been drawn in Group A alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait. The top two teams in the group will progress to the semi-finals.

The Saudi Al Ekhbariya sports account confirmed that Wednesday would be the date for the announcement of the official national team squad for Gulf 27, which will be staged in Jeddah between 23 September and 6 October.

The tournament is therefore set to begin with the hosts facing close attention as they seek to end their long wait for another regional title. Donis must first settle the make-up of his squad, particularly in light of Salem Al-Dawsari’s confirmed injury absence and the doubts surrounding Saud Abdulhamid.