Al Hilal’s Hassan Tambakti fitness decision set to go down to medical assessment

Al Hilal will wait for a medical report next week before deciding whether defender Hassan Tambakti can return against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League derby.

The sides are due to meet in round three of the competition on Tuesday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, but Tambakti’s involvement remains uncertain as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.

A source told Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya: “Al Hilal’s medical and coaching teams are working to gradually prepare the defender, with the aim of improving his physical and technical readiness before the derby.”

However, the same source said Tambakti is not expected to be fit for Al Hilal’s meeting with Al Khaleej in Dammam in the following round because he will not have completed his recovery by then.

The Saudi Pro League’s organising body has changed the order of Al Hilal’s next two league fixtures because Al Ahli are preparing to face Auckland City in the opening match of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday.

As a result, Al Hilal will play their fourth-round fixture against Al Khaleej next Friday before facing Al Ahli in the rearranged third-round match on 1 September.

Tambakti has been sidelined with an injury to the lower part of his heel, sustained while representing Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup, which concluded in July.

The injury ruled him out of Al Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria and has kept him out of the club’s matches against Al-Faisaly and Al-Fayha in the league. He also missed their King’s Cup meeting with Al-Raed in the last-32 stage.

Al Hilal are therefore continuing to manage Tambakti’s return carefully, with the priority being to restore his physical and technical condition rather than set an immediate comeback date. The medical assessment expected next week will help determine whether he can be included against Al Ahli or whether his return will be delayed further.

The defender joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 and has made 103 appearances for the club since his move. He has scored two goals and provided three assists during that period.

The derby against Al Ahli is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Saudi Pro League season, but Al Hilal will have to wait for the latest medical update before knowing whether Tambakti can play a part.