Salem Al-Dawsari omitted from Saudi Arabia’s initial squad over ‘technical’ concerns

Salem Al-Dawsari was left out of Saudi Arabia’s initial squad for reasons unrelated to injury, with coach Georgios Donis reportedly deciding that the Al Hilal captain did not meet his technical criteria.

The decision was reported by Al Arabiya after the preliminary list was sent to clubs before the announcement that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be postponed. Al-Dawsari had recently missed several matches because of injury, but that was not the reason for his absence from the list, according to the report.

His omission raises questions about Donis’ assessment of one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent players and whether the Greece manager believes the winger fits his preferred tactical approach.

Al-Dawsari has been a key figure for Saudi Arabia in recent years, making important contributions in a number of international competitions. He is also regarded as one of the country’s leading players because of his performances and status at Al Hilal.

The decision is therefore notable because it was understood to have been based on a footballing assessment rather than a compulsory decision linked to the player’s fitness. Donis appears to have a different view of the players best suited to his plans, despite Al-Dawsari’s international experience and standing within Saudi football.

His exclusion does not necessarily mean that the door has been closed on a return. However, the Al Hilal captain now faces a challenge to regain his place in the manager’s thinking and convince the coaching staff that he remains suitable for the national team’s requirements.

The developments also leave uncertainty over the criteria Donis is using to select his players. Al-Dawsari’s absence could prove to be a decision linked to the current stage of the manager’s project, or it could point to a reduced role for the winger under the Greek coach.

The report also lists a Saudi Arabia friendly against South Korea on 13 November 2026. It remains to be seen whether Al-Dawsari will feature in future selections as Donis continues to shape the squad.