Former Saudi Arabian international Abdulrahman bin Musa’ad has launched a scathing critique of the current national team setup, warning that excessive club bias threatens to derail their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
In a frank interview, Bin Musa’ad expressed deep concern that the Saudi national team has effectively become divided along the lines of the country’s two biggest clubs, Al Hilal and Al Nassr. “The national team has turned into a partisan entity for Al Hilal and Al Nassr,” he stated bluntly.
The ex-player, who represented the Green Falcons, fears this internal division could lead to a major embarrassment on the global stage. “I am afraid of a scandal at the World Cup,” he revealed, highlighting the potential consequences of selecting players based on club affiliation rather than pure merit and team cohesion.
Bin Musa’ad’s comments point to a growing sentiment that decisions within the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the national team’s technical staff are being influenced by the powerful rivalries at the domestic level. This environment, he suggests, prioritizes club interests over the collective strength of the national squad.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these internal fractures pose a significant risk. Building a unified team capable of competing against the world’s best requires a squad selected for national pride, not club loyalties.
The warning from a former insider like Bin Musa’ad serves as a stark reminder. For Saudi Arabia to avoid a disappointing tournament in 2026, a swift and serious refocus on putting the national team first is urgently needed.
