Al-Ittihad played its opening match of the 2025–2026 Roshn Saudi League against Al-Okhdood last Saturday, missing three key players that posed early challenges for the coaching staff. International goalkeeper Predrag Rajković was sidelined due to injury, Hamed Al-Shanqeeti was away on duty with the Saudi U-20 national team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and defender Hassan Kadesh was still unfit following recovery from a recent injury.
Despite these setbacks, Al-Ittihad approached the game with determination, relying on young and backup players to fill the gaps. The match became an early test of the team’s ambitions in a season where fans expect strong competition for the league title.
These developments coincided with Saudi Arabia’s growing international presence, as the national team recently participated as a guest in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, further underscoring the Kingdom’s expanding role in global football and reflecting positively on domestic clubs like Al-Ittihad.
