Saudi National Team Faces Japan in Critical World Cup Qualifier: Mancini Urges Fans to Support

The Saudi national football team is preparing for a big “football summit” against its Japanese counterpart, next Thursday night, at the “Radiant Jewel” stadium in the city of Jeddah, as part of the third round of the group stage, in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia is in third place in the Asian qualifying group, with 4 points from a draw with Indonesia and a win against China, and two points behind the “main” Japanese team.

In this context, the Italian Roberto Mancini, the technical director of Al-Akhdar, was eager to talk to the fans, on the sidelines of the “rehearsal” of the Saudi National Team Fans Association, this Tuesday afternoon.

In his speech, which was given by sports journalist Walid Saeed through his official account on the “X” stage, Mancini expressed his admiration for the public atmosphere that was observed at the “Radiant Jewel” stadium in the city of Jeddah, during the Al-Ahly and Al-Hilal Clasico.

Al-Hilal won (2-1) over Al-Ahly, last Saturday night, in the sixth round of the Saudi Roshen Professional League competition, for the current sports season 2024-2025.

The Italian coach appealed to the Saudi fans to watch Al-Ahly and Al-Hilal Classico again. This time, the national team faces its Japanese team.

Roberto Mancini finished his speech: By saying: “I want the whole stadium to be green”; Before he interacted with the songs and chants of the Saudi National Team Fans Association.