THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Saudi Arabia – Under the radar but brimming with optimism

The majority of Saudi Arabia players are selected from the domestic league, making the squad a rarity in the modern football landscape. While this correlates to a relatively low profile on the global stage, the under-the-radar team is emboldened by powerful passion for the game at home.

Saudi fans share this zeal. Just this past September, a sold-out crowd of more than 60,000 cheered as the Green Falcons secured qualification for the summer’s tournament with a 1-0 win in Jeddah. Their support will undoubtedly spur the team from the tournament’s kick-off match against the home nation — a perfect platform for affirming intent — throughout the competition.

There, the Green Falcons will wear Nike’s 2018 Saudi Arabian Football Federation collection. Inclusive of home and away kits, pre-match jerseys, anthem jackets and leisure wear, the collection honors past glory while putting the nation’s ever-present pride front and center.

Home

The 2018 Saudi home kit pays homage to the federation’s 1994 team, which reached the final 16 in the United States. It features brilliant white jerseys, shorts and socks complete with green trimmings.

“Nothing makes me prouder than the idea of representing the national team in the world’s most prestigious sports competition,” says striker Nawaf Al Abed. “When I put on the KSA jersey, I feel inspired to play well for this great country.”

Away

Saudi Arabia’s new away kit comes in the color of the country’s national flag. The look will be on proud display for the tournament’s kick-off.

“The pursuit of the highest levels and the noblest goals is one of the most important features of the Saudi people as well as our national team,” says Nawaf Al-Ttemyat, VP of Saudi Football Federation, and Head of the World Cup delegation for the Saudi National team. “When I saw the new national team uniform, I felt that it fully reflects the great sense of pride our team feels and the constant desire to achieve the best results and honorable representation of our beloved country.”

The home collection will be available mid-April in Nike stores across Saudi Arabia and on nike.com.

(Nike)