Former Youth President Calls for Exclusion of Salem Al-Dawsari from 2026 World Cup

Ahmed Al-Aqeel sparked controversy with fiery statements in which he called for the exclusion of Salem Al-Dawsari from the Saudi national team roster for the 2026 World Cup.

These statements came following the match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the 32nd round of the Roshn League, where Al-Dawsari did not perform at the expected level.

Aqeel emphasized in his statement that the player's participation in the World Cup should be contingent upon his return to his known level of performance, noting that his current performance does not meet the demands of global competition.

He explained that Al-Dosari needs to regain the level he showcased in the years 2019, 2022, and 2023, considering that his recent decline in performance has become evident compared to the other stars of the league.

He also pointed out that the player's continued presence in the lineup without regaining his form could affect the national team's options in the upcoming tournament.

Salem Al-Dawsari is considered one of the prominent names in Saudi football, as he captains the national team and has an impressive record in international appearances.

These criticisms come at a sensitive time, with major events approaching, which intensifies the debate about the readiness of the national team's stars before facing the challenges of the upcoming World Cup.