Wael Jabir

Columnist

Saudi Arabia

Wael has been covering football in the Gulf and across Asia since 2014, travelling to cover AFC and FIFA tournaments from Thailand to Uzbekistan to Morocco, attending nine consecutive Asian Champions League finals. Born, raised and based in Saudi Arabia, he takes special interest in the history and culture of Saudi football.

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Al Hilal have experienced the biggest growth in support, with their home gate tripling this season. Reuters

SPL attendances rising but provincial clubs struggle to attract fans

Al Hilal boast spectacular growth in support while regional teams are still experiencing small crowds

February 14, 2024, 12:06 PM

Roberto Mancini talks to his players before extra time during the AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Getty Images

The good, the bad and the ugly of Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup campaign

A tournament that started and ended in controversy, and where it leaves the Green Falcons under coach Roberto Mancini

February 02, 2024, 8:52 AM

Saudi Arabia manager Roberto Mancini instructs Abdulrahman Ghareeb during the Asian Cup match against Kyrgyzstan. AP

Taskmaster Mancini has Saudi Arabia playing for the nation

Green Falcons hope to end group stage with maximum points after final game against Thailand

January 25, 2024, 6:23 AM

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring for Al Ittihad during the Saudi League match against Al Hilal. EPA

Al Hilal star Mitrovic hunts goals in Riyadh derby against Al Nassr

Serbian striker eager to continue his red-hot streak as rivals face-off in a top-of-the-table clash in the Saudi Pro League

December 01, 2023, 5:39 AM

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates applaud fans after the win over Al Okhdood. Reuters

Ronaldo's Al Nassr set their sights on rivals Al Hilal after bruising tie

Captain Ronaldo expected to shake off neck injury picked up in AFC Champions League draw against Persepolis as Luis Castro's side seek to extend 20-game unbeaten run against SPL leaders

November 29, 2023, 4:24 AM

New Al Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo faces Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq in his opening game with the club. AFP

SPL predictions: Gallardo to start with a win over Al Ettifaq

Al Ittihad begin their new era while Al Hilal and Al Nassr look to maintain good form

November 24, 2023, 10:35 AM

Saleh Al Shehri has found game time hard to find at club level but bagged four goals in two games for Saudi Arabia in recent 2026 World Cup qualifying. PA

Saleh Al Shehri: Underused by Al Hilal, loved by Saudi Arabia

Al Hilal striker has scored 13 goals in 27 games for Green Falcons, including equaliser in World Cup win over Argentina

November 23, 2023, 6:24 AM

Saudi Arabia manager Roberto Mancini is looking to make it two World Cup qualifying wins on the trot when his team takes on Jordan. Getty

Mancini and Saudi Arabia ready for tough test against Jordan

Green Falcons started qualification campaign with comfortable win over Pakistan but are missing number of key players for next game

November 20, 2023, 4:21 PM

Talal Haji in action for Saudi Arabia Under-17s against Uzbekistan. Saudi Arabian Football Federation

Meet the 16-year-old wunderkind set for his Saudi Arabia debut

Rising star poised for senior debut after being called up for 2026 World Cup qualifier by Roberto Mancini

November 16, 2023, 6:36 AM

Roberto Mancini's Saudi Arabia side face Pakistan in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. AFP

Saudi Arabia begin World Cup 2026 quest with one eye on future

Green Falcons' bid to reach next global finals kicks off with match against Pakistan on Thursday

November 15, 2023, 2:49 AM

Al Hilal combine expensive foreign talent such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, right, with elite homegrown players like Salem Al Dawsari, left. Getty Images

Saudi Pro League: Underdogs Al Taawoun out to topple leaders Al Hilal

Riyadh clash pits big-spending hosts against side who prove money is not everything in football

November 09, 2023, 3:08 PM

Karim Benzema will look to lead Al Ittihad to a good result in their first match since the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo. Getty

SPL predictions: Hilal to drop points, Ittihad get back on track

First plays third as surprise package Al Taawoun head to Riyadh

November 08, 2023, 5:42 PM

Nuno Espirito Santo parted ways with Saudi champions Al Ittihad on Wednesday following a poor run of results. Getty Images

Nuno's sacking felt inevitable as rot set in at Al Ittihad

Months after leading the Jeddah club to a first Saudi Pro League title in 14 years, the Portuguese coach finds himself out of a job

November 08, 2023, 7:17 AM

Cristino Ronaldo's Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League table. Getty Images

SPL predictions: A win for Ronaldo's Al Nassr as Al Hilal held

Matchweek 12 sees Al Hilal travel to one of the most difficult grounds in the Saudi Pro League to face Al Fateh

November 02, 2023, 6:30 AM

Al Hilal top Saudi Pro League 2023/24 attendance figures with just over 103,000 fans watching their games as of matchweek 8. Getty

Gap between attendances at Saudi Pro League clubs continues to grow

While likes of Al Nassr and Al Hilal can attract fans with superstar signings, provincial teams such as Al Okhdood must look to engage more with local communities

October 31, 2023, 5:18 AM