Former Saudi international Naif Hazazi criticised Fahad Al-Mufrej's remarks on Musab Al-Juwair's exclusion. The comments were recorded on 22 September 2026 for RT Arabic.
Who is Naif Hazazi and what did he say about the Musab Al-Juwair crisis, when did Fahad Al-Mufrej make his statements, and where did the dispute arise? On 22 September 2026, speaking to RT Arabic, former Saudi international striker Hazazi sharply criticised the national team’s executive director Fahad Al-Mufrej for his remarks on the exclusion of midfielder Musab Al-Juwair from the senior squad.
Background of the crisis
The debate resurfaced after Al-Mufrej announced that Al-Juwair would remain out of the national team due to what he described as "inappropriate conduct" during the training camp. No specific details were provided, sparking widespread controversy among media and fans.
- Naif Hazazi: "Al-Mufrej resorts to unfounded statements without clear evidence."
- Al-Mufrej: "The decision is based on internal observations that cannot be disclosed."
- Musab Al-Juwair: has not responded to the comments yet.
Hazazi warned that Al-Juwair’s exclusion could harm the team’s performance in upcoming matches, especially with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming. He stressed that transparency in decision‑making is essential for players and coaching staff.
So far, the Saudi Football Federation has not issued an official response to Hazazi’s criticism, although insiders claim Al-Mufrej may reconsider his stance under mounting media pressure.
This controversy emerges at a critical juncture for the Saudi national team, which is looking to refresh its roster and improve results in regional and global competitions.
Published: