Big blow for Saudi Arabia ahead of Iraq match at Gulf Cup 27

Al-Wasat Sports - Riyadh

The Saudi national team announced on Sunday the exclusion of defender Hassan Kadash due to a thigh injury from the squad participating in the Gulf Cup (Gulf 27), ahead of the match against Iraq in the final round of the group stage.

The "Green" said on X that "the national team head coach Georgios Donis has excluded player Hassan Kadash based on the medical report of the examinations he conducted on the injury to his thigh."

Kadash (33) scored in Saudi Arabia's 3-0 win over Oman, the tournament's runner-up, on Saturday, but left the match after an hour of play because of the injury.

Kadash, an Al-Ittihad defender who has played 22 international matches for his country, was part of the squad at last summer's World Cup but did not play in any match as Saudi Arabia's campaign ended at the group stage.

Saudi Arabia had earlier excluded goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqeedi because of a serious injury he suffered during the 1-0 win over Kuwait in the tournament opener hosted by the kingdom.

Earlier today, Iraq coach Graham Arnold closed the "Lions of Mesopotamia" training session to the media and public for the evening practice scheduled for today.

The decision followed Iraq's 3-2 win over Kuwait on Saturday at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, which took Iraq's tally to four points from two matches after their 1-1 draw with Oman in the first round.

Iraq is preparing to face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. Baghdad time at Al-Inma' Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, in the conclusion of Group A's fixtures.

The match carries importance for qualification to the semi-finals: Group A includes Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait, and the top two teams advance to the last four.