Saudi star Abdulhamid faces uncertainty in World Cup preparations after passport loss

Staff Report: PNN

Saudi Arabia national football team defender Saud Abdulhamid has faced an unexpected problem at a crucial time in World Cup preparations after losing his passport and important documents in a car theft incident in Amsterdam, Netherlands, making his timely arrival at the national team camp uncertain.

In an official statement on Monday, the Saudi Football Federation said that the defender is currently in Amsterdam attending a family event. While staying there, a theft occurred in his car.

According to the federation, not only his passport but also several personal documents and valuable items were stolen. Local law enforcement has been contacted, and the Saudi embassy in the Netherlands has begun preparing new travel documents.

The 25-year-old Abdulhamid currently plays for French club RC Lens on loan from AS Roma. He has also been included in the preliminary 30-man World Cup squad announced by new Saudi head coach Georgios Donis.

Meanwhile, as part of World Cup preparations, the Saudi national team has already begun training camps in the United States. During camps in New York and Texas, the team will play several friendly matches against Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Senegal.

In the upcoming World Cup, Saudi Arabia is placed in Group H, where they will face Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.

Federation officials hope that if a new passport is issued quickly, Abdulhamid will be able to join the national team soon and that there will be no major impact on World Cup preparations.