Bahrain Set for Qatar Test Ahead of Arab Cup Push
Talajic's new-look squad meets Qatar as Arab Cup prep begins
Bahrain's senior men's national football team will travel to Doha next month for a friendly against regional rivals Qatar, the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The match is set for September 3 at Al Thumama Stadium, with kick-off at 6:15pm Bahrain time. It serves as a key part of Bahrain's build-up to the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, which will also take place in Qatar this December.
Qatar, ranked 53rd globally and fifth in Asia, are preparing for both the Arab Cup and the AFC fourth-round qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting in October. The friendly allows both teams to test tactical setups and assess squad depth.
A second friendly is also being arranged, with Bahrain possibly facing the UAE on September 8 in Dubai. Talks are ongoing. The Emiratis, 65th in the world and 10th in Asia, are also prepping for the Arab Cup and World Cup qualifying.
Bahrain, ranked 89th globally and 12th in Asia, recently held a training camp in Maribor, Slovenia, led by head coach Dragan Talajic. The camp included three friendlies: a 2-1 win over NK Primorje Ajdovščina, a 3-1 victory against NK Šobec Lesce, and a 1-3 loss to Croatian top-flight side NK Istra 1961.
Talajic used the camp to introduce new talent. The 28-man squad excluded veterans Ismaeel Abdullatif, Ali Haram, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, and retired goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaafar, the country's most-capped player. Key midfielder Mohammed Jassim Marhoon missed out due to club duties, while rising star Sayed Ahmed Al Wadaie remained with Bahrain's U23 Olympic team.
Newer call-ups included Abdulla Al Subaie, Hussain Jameel, Omar Saber, Ahmed Dhiya, and goalkeepers Yousef Habib and Mohammed Al Gharabli, most of whom are uncapped.
Before the Arab Cup, Bahrain must win a qualifying playoff in November against Djibouti to enter the group stage. A win places them in Group D with Algeria, Iraq, and the Lebanon–Sudan qualifier winner.
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