Al-Hilal turn to Under-21 players again as international break hits squad

Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi is relying on the club’s Under-21 players to cover a depleted first-team squad during the current international break, making it the second time this season the Saudi club have turned to their academy group to avoid the impact of the “Fifa virus”.

Al-Hilal resumed training on Wednesday after a 10-day holiday during the international window. The team are preparing to face Uzbek club Neftchi on 23 November 2026 in the fifth round of the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite, before travelling to Dammam to play Al-Ettifaq on 28 November in the 13th round of the Saudi Pro League.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Inzaghi has called on members of Al-Hilal’s Under-21 side, who compete in the Jow Elite League, to make up the numbers while senior players are away with their national teams.

The Under-21 team are currently sixth in the competition with 17 points from eight matches. Their record consists of five wins, two draws and one defeat.

This is the second occasion this season on which Inzaghi has used the Under-21 squad during an international break.

International absences

Eight Al-Hilal players are with Saudi Arabia’s squad at its current training camp in Doha: Mohammed Al Owais, Mohammed Mahzari, Hassan Tambakti, Moteb Al-Harbi, Ali Lajami, Mohammed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari and Sultan Mandash.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is away with Morocco, while defender Kalidou Koulibaly is representing Senegal. His defensive team-mate Youssef Akcicek has joined Turkiye’s youth national team.

Midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves are with Serbia and Portugal respectively, while winger Crysencio Summerville is on duty with the Netherlands.

Al-Hilal are also without three players because of injuries. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari, Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli and French midfielder Simon Bouabre are all unavailable.

The club sit second in the West section of the AFC Champions League Elite with nine points from three wins and one defeat. They trail leaders Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates by three points.

After the trip to Neftchi, Al-Hilal will visit Al-Ettifaq at their Dammam stadium on 28 November.

The club currently lead the Saudi Pro League with 30 points from 10 victories and one defeat. They are two points clear of second-placed Al-Qadsiah and third-placed Al-Nassr.