Coach Hervé Renard surprised everyone with his new decision regarding the goalkeeping position ahead of the anticipated friendly match against Serbia.

Renard decided to start with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in the match, excluding Nawaf Al-Aqidi from the starting lineup.

This decision came following the unconvincing performance by Al-Aqeedi during the recent match against Egypt, which ended in a heavy defeat for the Green team with a score of four goals to none.

This step comes as part of the coaching staff's efforts to reorganize and correct mistakes before facing upcoming challenges, especially with the approach of the 2026 World Cup.

Renard had called Al-Owais back to the camp after the match against Egypt, in a move some interpreted as paving the way for his participation in the next game.

The list also saw the exclusion of several players, including Moteb Al-Harbi due to injury, as well as Ali Lajami and Hassan Kadesh for technical reasons.

The coaching staff is currently working on improving team performance and addressing the defensive gaps that were clearly evident in the previous match.

Facing Serbia is an important test for the team, as it represents a new opportunity to assess the team's readiness before competing in the World Cup, within a group that includes strong teams.