Red Warriors conclude domestic camp for Road to World Cup

ADIL AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT, Sept 21
Oman’s national football team concluded its short domestic preparatory camp in Muscat on Sunday under the supervision of Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz. The six-day gathering, which brought together 26 players from the Oman Elite League, was held at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex and wrapped up with a morning training session under the direct sun at the venue’s greenfield.
The camp came at a decisive moment in Oman’s journey, just three weeks before the crucial AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026. The Red Warriors are set to face Qatar on October 8 and the UAE on October 11 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha as the matches widely considered the most important in the team’s history as they chase a historic spot in the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Coach Queiroz, assisted by Hamed al Azzani, oversaw intensive daily sessions that focused on tactical and technical improvements. The training programme included short-passing drills, ball control exercises, fitness routines, defensive-to-attack transitions, and organised attacking movements. The Portuguese coach also used the camp to evaluate emerging talents and strengthen squad depth, ensuring readiness across all positions.
Despite the absence of Oman’s professional players abroad due to club commitments, the all-domestic squad carried high energy and determination throughout the camp. Among the players unavailable were Mohsin al Ghassani (Bangkok United), Issam al Subhi (Al Quwa Al Jawiya), Jameel al Yahmadi (Al Kahraba, Iraq), Al Mundher al Alawi (Al Wehdat, Jordan), and Khalid al Buraiki alongside Abdulrahman al Mushaifri (SK Artis Brno, Czech Republic).
Oman, currently ranked 78th in the Fifa Men’s World Ranking, will enter the final phase of preparations with growing optimism. The team will return back to the local gathering ahead of their travel to Doha. The forthcoming domestic camp and short gathering in Doha will serve as an important step in fine-tuning strategies and instilling discipline as the Red Warriors edge closer to the defining qualifiers.
Squad
Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushaidi, Bilal al Balushi, Ahmed al Rawahi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Ali al Busaidy, Juma al Habsi, Mahmood al Mushaifri, Ahmed al Khamisi, Musaab al Shaqsi, Naif Bait Subaih, Amjed al Harthy, Tani al Rushaidi, Ghanim al Habshi, Sultan al Marzooq, Ahed al Mashaykhi, Musaab al Maamari, Harib al Saadi, Arshad al Alawi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahmed al Riyami, Zahir al Aghbari, Hatim al Roushdi, Nasser al Rawahi, Salah al Yahyaei and Mohammed al Ghafri.