The Saudi national team announced today, Sunday, the exclusion of defender Hassan Kadhash due to a thigh injury from the squad participating in the Gulf Football Cup (Gulf 27), just before facing Iraq in the final round of the group stage in the tournament.
The "Green" team stated via the "X" platform, which was reviewed by the "News Video Agency," that "the national team's head coach Georgios Donis has excluded player Hassan Kadhash based on the medical report of the results of the medical examinations he underwent on his thigh injury."
Kadhash (33 years old) scored a goal in Saudi Arabia's 3-0 victory over Oman, the defending champions, yesterday, Saturday, but left the match after an hour of play due to the injury.
Kadhash, a defender for Al-Ittihad, who has participated in 22 international matches with his national team, was part of the squad that participated in last summer's World Cup but did not play in any match as Saudi Arabia's journey ended at the group stage.
Saudi Arabia had previously excluded goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi due to a serious injury sustained during their 1-0 victory over Kuwait in the opening match of the tournament hosted by the kingdom.
Earlier today, Iraqi coach Graham Arnold decided to close the "Lions of Mesopotamia" training sessions to the media and the public during the scheduled training session this evening.
This decision comes after the Iraqi national team secured a 3-2 victory over their Kuwaiti counterpart yesterday, Saturday, at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, bringing Iraq's tally to 4 points from two matches, following a draw in the first round against Oman 1-1.
The Iraqi team is preparing to face the Saudi national team on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 8:30 PM Baghdad time, at the Al-Inmaa Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, to conclude the competition in Group A.
The match holds significance in the calculations for qualification to the semi-finals, as the group includes the teams of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait, with the top two teams qualifying for the semifinals.