Red Warriors undergo intensive closed training sessions

MUSCAT: The Oman national football team entered a new phase of its domestic preparatory camp on Thursday under the supervision of Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz, as the first stage of the gathering concluded on Wednesday.
The initial three-day phase was conducted behind closed doors, with no media access, as the coaching staff opted for privacy to keep tactical plans and playing strategies under wraps ahead of the decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 matches against Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on October 8 and 11 in Doha.

NEW SQUAD
Hussain al Zadjali, administrative member of the national team, confirmed to Oman Observer that Queiroz will announce a new 24-man squad on Thursday. “The first camp featured 18 players, excluding Al Nahda’s squad members and several professional players abroad. The Al Nahda players will join following their Gulf Club Championship fixture against Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, which concluded on Wednesday. Ahmed al Kaabi is currently under close medical supervision, and we hope he can be ready for the qualifiers,” he said.
The second phase of the camp will run until Sunday and in the following day the Red Warriors will travel to Doha. Midfield general Harib al Saadi will miss the opening clash against Qatar due to suspension, with Seeb’s Nasser al Rawahi expected to step into the role after consistent performances for both club and country, including in the Cafa Nations Cup.
On the professional side, midfielder Jameel al Yahmadi has already joined from Iraq’s Al Karma FC, while the rest of the overseas contingent are due to link up with the team during this phase of preparations and will join the team in Doha. As per the technical plan, the squad will hold one official training session in Doha before their opener against the Asian champions at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), through the We Are All With You campaign, confirmed the allocation of 5,800 tickets for Oman supporters across the two fixtures in Doha. This includes 1,000 tickets for the October 8 clash against Qatar and 4,800 tickets for the encounter with the UAE on October 11. The tickets, available exclusively via the Visit Oman platform, have already been snapped up by fans eager to back the national side in their historic bid for Fifa World Cup qualification.
Oman Squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Bilal al Balushi, Ahmed al Rawahi, Ali al Busaidy, Mahmood al Mushaifri, Ahmed al Khamisi, Musab al Shaqsi, Nayef Bait Subaih, Sultan al Marzooq, Musab al Maamari, Arshad al Alawi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahmed al Riyami, Zaher al Aghbari, Jameel al Yahmadi, Hatim al Roushdi, Nasser al Rawahi and Salah al Yahyaei.