In a nutshell

When the Club Wins... and the National Team Loses

Every time our Saudi national team faces a major challenge, the same question resurfaces: Why doesn't the Green Falcons enjoy the same consensus as the clubs? The truth is that football partisanship has gone beyond the boundaries of natural competition, to the extent that some fans now view the national team through a club lens, celebrating one player and attacking another based on their club affiliation, not on their performance on the pitch.

No one asks fans to abandon their love for Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, or Al-Ahli; that rivalry is the spirit of football. But the problem starts when club rivalries spill over into the national team. Then every technical decision is questioned, every coach's selection becomes a subject of debate, and every loss is an opportunity to settle scores between club fans, instead of rallying behind the national team in its toughest moments. Analysts may differ on the technical reasons, but what is indisputable is that the Saudi national team did not deliver to the expectations of its fans in the 2026 World Cup, after exiting the tournament without achieving the milestone the fans had awaited, and without leaving the impact it used to make in previous participations.

True, partisanship is not the only culprit, but it is one of the factors that create an atmosphere of division and constant pressure. And if the Kingdom is preparing to host the 2034 World Cup, the next phase requires a genuine national project in which the national team comes above all else, and the slogan of the homeland takes precedence over all club slogans. The Green Falcons will not regain the status they deserve until the stands unite behind them, before their players' feet unite on the field.

Kuwait Summer: The Kuwaiti football scene is heating up even more with the start of the summer transfer market, amid an early race among clubs to strengthen their squads before the new season. Al-Kuwait SC, the champion of the third millennium and the most dominant force in recent years, continues to set the pace in the transfer window with strong deals, affirming that the management is not satisfied with the titles they've won but is working to widen the gap with their rivals and prepare a team capable of continuously winning titles locally and continentally.

In contrast, Al-Qadsia has entered the market with no less ambition. Their most notable move was reappointing national coach Mohammad Ibrahim, "The General," to the technical leadership—a move that sends clear messages that the Yellow intends to restore its natural place among the big clubs, along with notable moves to bolster the squad with players capable of returning the team to the podium. On the other side, Al-Arabi appears more cautious in its moves and reactions to the shocks it has received, especially after losing three key players who were with them less than a season ago! As for Kazma, Al-Salmiya, and the rest of the Kuwaiti clubs, things are moving slowly, as has been the case in their competitions in recent seasons. And if the competition has started early off the pitch, the early indicators confirm that the upcoming Kuwaiti football season will be different, with significant club activity—promising fans a season full of excitement from the opening whistle to the final round.

Al-Khashawi Announces His Candidacy for Al-Arabi: After a long and distinguished career serving Al-Arabi Club, during which he held a number of administrative and media positions, Hamed Mahmoud Al-Khashawi opens a new chapter of giving through the club's board elections, having officially announced his candidacy for the elections scheduled for 2027, under the slogan "Vote for Correction." Al-Khashawi bases his electoral campaign on a program centered on four main pillars: enhancing administrative transparency, developing investment and supporting team and individual sports, working to restore the club's status and prestige, and seeking to reinstate the general assembly members who were removed—a step that reflects the early start of the electoral movement in preparation for the upcoming event at the Green Fortress.