A break-in in Amsterdam cost Saud Abdulhamid his passport and delayed his arrival to the Saudi training camp, forcing SAFF and embassy action
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation confirmed that fullback Saud Abdulhamid will not join his national teammates on schedule after suffering an incident while abroad. While in Amsterdam with family for a wedding celebration, his private vehicle was broken into and a number of personal items were taken, among them his travel document.
The federation described the loss as an instance of passport theft that prevented Abdulhamid from catching the planned flight to Riyadh, and therefore delayed his arrival at the final national team camp ahead of World Cup 2026.
The statement from SAFF made clear that authorities and officials are moving to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
In parallel with local law enforcement, the federation is coordinating with the Ministry of Sport and maintaining communication with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Netherlands to obtain emergency documentation that will permit travel. Although the player is expected to join the squad at a later date, the federation stressed that it is working to minimize disruption to the team’s schedule and preparation plans.
Player profile and roster role
Saud Abdulhamid currently represents RC Lens on loan from Italy’s AS Roma, and he appears in coach Georgios Donis’s 30-man preliminary list for the tournament. As a regular selection at fullback, Abdulhamid is considered an important tactical piece for the Green Falcons, offering defensive stability and attacking support down the flank. Losing his presence even briefly creates selection questions for the final roster, though the coaching staff still has options among the players already assembled. The federation’s public lines emphasize that Abdulhamid remains part of the plan and that his late arrival is logistical rather than disciplinary or fitness-related.
United States training camps and friendly schedule
The Saudi squad has already traveled to the United States for the next phase of preparations, staging camps in New York and Texas to sharpen form and cohesion. During this block the team is scheduled to play a set of friendlies against Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Senegal, matches intended to provide competitive minutes and final tactical adjustments. Coaching staff will use these games to test systems and personnel combinations, and any late addition such as Abdulhamid would be integrated into training sessions and match plans as soon as travel documents allow him to join the group.
World Cup context and logistics
Saudi Arabia has been drawn into Group H, where it will face Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde. The matches for Group H are scheduled to take place from June 15 to 26, 2026. The wider tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, featuring 48 teams and a record 104 matches. According to FIFA figures cited by the federation, more than five million tickets have already been purchased, underscoring the scale and logistical complexity of assembling a fit, prepared national squad for the global event.
What happens next for Abdulhamid
Officials say the immediate priority is securing replacement travel documents so that Abdulhamid can travel without further delay. SAFF is following the police inquiry in Amsterdam and working with the embassy to issue an emergency passport or equivalent papers that comply with travel and tournament regulations. The process can vary by country and circumstance, but the federation’s public messaging suggests confidence that the matter will be resolved quickly. While paperwork is processed, medical and coaching staff will monitor the player’s condition to ensure a smooth return to training after travel and any lost preparation time.
Broader implications for the squad
Although a single absence at this stage can feel disruptive, the team’s depth and the existing schedule of friendlies give the staff room to adjust. The coaching team may rotate personnel in the US-based matches and use the opportunity to test other players in Abdulhamid’s position until he arrives. From a strategic perspective, the incident highlights how off-field events can affect on-field readiness and how federations rely on rapid consular and administrative support to manage unexpected hurdles. The federation’s swift response aims to restore normalcy and allow the team to focus on the competitive task ahead.
