Al Nassr dominate Saudi Arabia line-up as Giorgos Donis drops Al Hilal quartet

Giorgos Donis made a number of changes to the Saudi Arabia team for their opening match at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, leaving four Al Hilal players out of the starting XI against Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia face the hosts at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday in the opening round of the group stage.

The starting line-up selected by the Greek head coach includes four players from Al Nassr, while Al Hilal contribute three. Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Qadsiah and Al Shabab each have one representative.

The most notable decision was in goal, where Mohammed Al-Owais has been named among the substitutes and Nawaf Al-Aqidi starts instead. Al-Owais was Saudi Arabia’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Donis has also left out Hassan Tambakti, who had been a regular starter in defence for the national team during the recent period. Abdulelah Al-Amri and Hassan Kadesh have been selected in central defence instead.

The coach made further changes on the right side, omitting Al Hilal pair Mohammed Mahzari and Sultan Mandash. Nawaf Boushal starts at right-back, with Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat positioned ahead of him on the wing.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan leads the Saudi attack, supported by Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Hammam Al-Hamami.

Saudi Arabia’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Nawaf Al-Aqidi

Defence: Nawaf Boushal, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Hassan Kadesh, Moteb Al-Harbi

Midfield: Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Mohammed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Hammam Al-Hamami

Attack: Abdullah Al-Hamdan

The Saudi Arabia national team announced the selection on social media under the message: “This is the Green, and this is our line-up to face Kuwait today.”

The match marks the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s campaign in the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup. Donis’s selection represents a significant reshaping of the side, with established options such as Al-Owais and Tambakti starting on the bench and several players receiving their opportunity in the tournament opener.