Al-Ittihad unveils new kit for 2024-25 season

Al-Ittihad presented its distinctive new kit in photo sessions in the center of historic Jeddah, among its alleys and ancient buildings. (Supplied)
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Al-Ittihad presented its distinctive new kit in photo sessions in the center of historic Jeddah, among its alleys and ancient buildings. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 July 2024
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Al-Ittihad unveils new kit for 2024-25 season

Al-Ittihad unveils new kit for 2024-25 season
  • The classic striped design in yellow and black is based on the Nike shirt, with its authentic heritage
  • The kit’s new design represents the architectural style “Rawashin”

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad FC has unveiled its kit for the 2024/25 season in collaboration with Nike.

Al-Ittihad presented its distinctive new kit in photo sessions in the center of historic Jeddah, among its alleys and ancient buildings, in cooperation with Al-Balad Development Company, the club’s official sponsor.

The classic striped design in yellow and black is based on the Nike shirt, with its authentic heritage, which fans have loved and celebrated for 97 years.

The kit’s new design represents the architectural style, “Rawashin,” the prominent traditional wooden panels used to cover windows and external openings at the old houses of Jeddah — considered an icon of the city’s heritage.

Domingos De Oliveira, CEO of Al-Ittihad Club, described the new kit as a symbol of the club’s history: “We worked closely with Nike in order to ensure access to the best that can be presented in the new kit, while preserving the established values of the basic kit, which represents a unique identity, after maintaining it for nearly a century.

“In the new kit, we worked to blend the heritage of Al-Ittihad Club with the history of the region from which it started, with a modern spirit that creates innovation in order to emerge with a product that reflects the club’s vision of starting from the base of its great history toward more glory and development in the current era and the future.

“Attention was paid to all the details in terms of the degree of color and their overlapping in the dividing line between them in the same way that the wooden columns in the Rawashin buildings of Jeddah are intertwined.”

For the first time, the home kit will be presented in three categories — the official home kit, which the players will wear, the stadium category, and the fans category.


Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut

Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut
Updated 11 June 2025
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Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut

Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut
  • Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium

LOS ANGELES: The Saudi national football team touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning ahead of their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14 across the US.

The Green Falcons arrived at LAX International Airport from Jeddah and will hold their pre-tournament training camp in San Diego.

Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium.

The team was received at LAX by the Kingdom’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Bandar Al-Zaid.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal expressed appreciation to the consulate for its warm welcome and logistical support.

The squad will begin their preparations with a closed training session on Wednesday evening at the San Diego Performance Center.


Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
Updated 10 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
  • Green Falcons are guaranteed at least a play-off spot but could still secure automatic qualification, though it would take a 5-goal victory

JEDDAH: On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s crucial closing match against Australia in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers, head coach Herve Renard expressed confidence in the readiness of his squad and stressed the importance of victory, despite the heavy odds against securing automatic qualification for the finals in North America next year.

Speaking during the prematch press conference at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Monday, alongside striker Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Renard said: “We are in third place, and while 99 percent believe we are headed to the play-offs, we still have a chance (of automatic qualification).

“We have nothing to lose and are doing everything we can to make our fans happy. The most important thing for us is to win.

“We’re excited for this match. Some think we’re already in the play-offs but we still have hope. It’s very important to win (on Tuesday).”

Australia, led by coach Tony Popovic, sit in second place in Group C on 16 points, three ahead of the Saudis, and their superior goal difference means they need only avoid a five-goal defeat to confirm their seventh-consecutive appearance at the World Cup.

Japan top the group and have already secured qualification. Saudi Arabia and fourth-place Indonesia are guaranteed places in the play-offs, in which six teams will fight it out for the last three qualification spots.

Renard emphasized the need for focus and preparation ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“We have to approach the Australia game like any other, showing determination and being fully prepared,” he said. “I’ll do my best to select the best 11 players and the most effective approach heading into the match.”

The Green Falcons completed their preparations with a training session on Monday evening at the reserve pitch at King Abdullah Sports City.

Images released by the national team on social media showed Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal talking to players at the session. 

The Green Falcons take on Australia at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, and fans were invited to take up the offer of free entry to the match.


Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
Updated 08 June 2025
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Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
  • The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium

RIYADH: Fans will be granted free entry to Al-Inma Stadium on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia take on Australia in a must-win World Cup qualifier, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Sunday.

The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium.

The federation’s decision to open the gates free of charge was confirmed via the national team’s fan council on social media platform X, citing “appreciation of the support from the nation’s fans.”

The Green Falcons face a daunting task, as only a win by five goals or more will secure direct qualification to the 2026 tournament.

Failure to meet that target will see Saudi Arabia move into the fourth qualifying round.

That stage features six teams split into two groups, with each group winner earning a direct World Cup berth.

The runners-up will meet in a two-legged playoff to determine Asia’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.


Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia
Updated 05 June 2025
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Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia
  • Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday

RIFFA: Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa on Thursday to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.

With Australia snatching a last-minute victory against already qualified Japan earlier, Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday.

The Saudis got off to the perfect start, when on 16 minutes rising star Musab Al Juwayr met captain Salem Al-Dawsari's pinpoint cross to the back post to volley home.

The visitors then survived a few nervy moments in the second half before Abdulrahman Al Obud made safe the result 12 minutes from time with a goal on the counter.

The win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference.

Only a huge victory for the Gulf side in Jeddah would see them leapfrog the Socceroos.


Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach

Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach
Updated 05 June 2025
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Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach

Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach
  • Inzaghi, 49, fills role of Jorge Jesus who was fired last month
  • First challenge is FIFA Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal announced on Thursday Simone Inzaghi as their new head coach, replacing Jorge Jesus who was fired last month.

The announcement was made in a video posted on the club’s X account shortly after midnight.

“My name is Simone Inzaghi. And today begins my story with Al-Hilal,” he says at the end of the 40-second clip.

He is shown wearing his customary black suit, tying his shoes, putting on a watch and adjusting his tie.

Inzaghi’s Inter Milan suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in Saturday’s Champions League final, prompting the Italian to step down.

He joined Inter in 2021 and won 141 of 217 games as coach. He was at Serie A rivals Lazio for five years before taking over at Inter.

Al-Hilal parted ways with Portuguese coach Jesus at the start of May, who led the Riyadh team to 83 wins in 105 games, in his second stint with the club.

Defending champions Hilal finished second in the Saudi Pro League, eight points behind Al-Ittihad.

Inzaghi’s first order of business will be in the US, where Al-Hilal will join the best teams in the world, including the 49-year-old’s former side Inter, in the FIFA Club World Cup which runs from June 14 to July 13.

Al-Hilal are drawn in Group H with Real Madrid, Pachuca and Salzburg.