MUSCAT: Oman’s national under-17 football team have entered a new training camp in Muscat as preparations intensify for two major assignments — the U17 Gulf Cup in Qatar and the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers in Salalah.
The camp, which began on October 9 and runs until October 14, is being conducted without friendly matches, allowing national head coach Ahmed bin Salim Bait Said and his technical staff to focus fully on physical conditioning, tactical organisation and technical work.
A total of 23 players have been called up for the gathering as Oman look to sharpen their readiness before travelling to Qatar.
The squad includes Ahmed al Masoudi, Mohammed al Hinai, Nahidh Bait Jameel, Abdullah al Zaabi, Saif al Jabri, Hassan al Balushi, Hood al Balushi, Ahmed al Mukhaini, Sultan al Balushi, Ziyad al Maamari, Bashar al Shamsi, Abdullah al Farsi, Nayer Bait Ardeen, Jihad al Shukaili, Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Jassim al Dawood, Abdulrahman al Hashmi, Nader al Noobi, Said Bait Rajab, Mohammed al Maashari, Mohammed al Omrani, Abdulrahim al Tuwairshi and Abdullah Bait Ali Issa.
FIRST CHALLENGE
Oman’s first challenge will be the Gulf Cup U-17, scheduled in Qatar from October 16 to November 4. The young Red Warriors have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and invited side China.
Their campaign will begin against China on October 19, followed by a meeting with the UAE on October 22. Oman will then face Qatar on October 25 before completing the group stage against Bahrain on October 28.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on November 1, with the final scheduled for November 4.
The Gulf competition will also serve as an important final test before Oman turn their attention to the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers.
Oman will host Group G in Salalah from November 8 to 20, facing Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Brunei Darussalam. Only the group winners will secure a place in the continental finals, making the home qualifying campaign one of the team’s key targets this season.
The current camp comes shortly after Oman’s participation in the WAFF U17 Championship in Jordan, where they exited in the group stage following defeats to Jordan and the UAE.
With the schedule now moving quickly towards two competitive tournaments, the coaching staff will be looking to improve consistency, cohesion and match readiness as the young Red Warriors enter a decisive phase of their season.
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