AMMAN - The local football scene is awaiting the announcement of the national football team squad, which Moroccan head coach Badou Zaki will name next Sunday, at the close of matchday eight of the league. The squad is for his second training camp in charge, scheduled from the 9th to the 17th of this month, which includes two friendly matches against Indonesia and Australia.
اضافة اعلان
The national team will open its friendly programme against Indonesia on the 13th of this month at Amman International Stadium, although the match may be moved to another venue. The camp will close with the match against Australia on the 17th.
The wait for the new squad comes amid many changes over the past four weeks of the Professional League. These have produced a group of players who have performed impressively and established themselves, while several players from Zaki's first squad, who featured in the matches against Syria and Venezuela, have not delivered the expected level.
The upcoming camp is also of added importance given the decision to postpone the 2027 Asian Cup finals, originally scheduled for early next year in Saudi Arabia. The postponement gives the coaching staff more time to prepare, an opportunity to reorganise, a wider pool of options, and a chance for young players to prove themselves. It also gives injured players time to recover and get ready for the next stage, away from the pressure of imminent fixtures.
Zaki is expected to have returned to Amman yesterday to watch the matches of matchday eight, before finalising his choices and announcing the squad after the last game of the round, which pits Al-Faisaly against Shabab Al-Ordon at Amman Stadium.
The most notable development in recent weeks of league action has been the emergence of several players who have made a strong impression, either through consistent performances or their ability to make a difference for their clubs. This puts the coaching staff under pressure to give these players a genuine opportunity, and not to overlook what they have shown on the pitch. Performance in the league should be the primary criterion for selection, and the national team needs players who are fit, ambitious and eager to prove themselves, rather than relying on reputations from the past, especially since competition for places should remain open to everyone.
On the other hand, a number of players who were in Zaki's first squad have not delivered the expected level. Some have clearly declined in form, while others have not had enough minutes with their clubs or have failed to establish themselves in their teams' starting line-ups. This raises questions about whether they deserve to remain in the new squad.
The challenges facing Zaki extend beyond assessing form. Injuries to several players are an additional factor that may force changes to the new squad, particularly with Anas Al-Awadat, Ihsan Haddad, Yazid Abu Laila, Alick Samir and Youssef "Sisa" Abu Jalboush sidelined. Their health and their ability to return to competition must be assessed before any decision on their call-ups, to ensure no player is rushed back before being fully fit.
Local coach Islam Jalal says the coming phase requires bold technical decisions, particularly as the presence of new names in the squad will strengthen internal competition and give players extra motivation to give their best.
He told Al Ghad: "The coaching staff must put the interests of the national team above all considerations, and give the opportunity to those who deserve it. The national team is not a reserved place for particular names, but an open space for every player who proves they can represent the Al-Nashama. When a player feels there is a real chance to reach the national team, it will be reflected positively in their performance for their club. Competition for places also serves the national team and gives the coaching staff wider options."
He added that injuries force the coaching staff to look for ready alternatives, and not to take risks by calling up players who have not fully recovered: "A player's safety must be the priority. The national team cannot rely on a player who is not fully fit. It is therefore important to have alternatives in every position, and for players who are ready to get their chance."
