New squad for Oman team camp ahead of Gulf Cup

MUSCAT: Oman head coach, Rasheed Jaber, named a new squad ahead of the 26th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup (Gulf 26), which will be held in Kuwait from December 21 to January 3. The squad includes several new faces from Oman’s Olympic and U-20 teams, who impressed with standout performances in recent matches.

The five-day camp will begin on Wednesday in Muscat Governorate, focusing on assessing the players’ physical and technical readiness. The top performers in this camp may secure spots in future gatherings leading up to the prestigious Gulf Cup tournament.

The 27-member squad includes Jawad al Azi, Adnan al Mushefri, Motasim al Wahaibi (Al Seeb), Yousef al Shabibi, Majid al Farsi, Ghassan al Masrouri, Said al Salami (Al Shabab), Yassar al Balushi, Fahad al Mukhaini (Sur), Abdulhafidh al Mukhaini, Mamoon al Oraimi, Salim al Dawoodi, Yousef al Ghilani (Sur), Oadi al Manwari, Muhannad al Saadi (Al Salam), Hudhaifa al Maamari (Al Rustaq), AbdulRahman al Yaqoobi, Mutee al Saadi (Ibri), Abdullah al Mukhaini (Al Taleea), Mohammed Mustaheel (Salalah), Maitham al Ajmi (Al Ittihad), Salim al AbdulSalam (Saham), Abdullah al Maamari (UAE’s Hatta FC), Al Faraj al Kiumi (Al Khabourah), Ahed al Mashaekhi (Al Nahdha), Nibras al Mashari (Muscat) and Ali al Balushi (Oman Club).

Rasheed Jaber

The coaching staff aims to use the camp to fine-tune the players’ conditioning and tactical awareness. This preparatory phase will be crucial for the coaching staff as they identify key contributors for the Gulf Cup, especially following Oman’s recent challenges in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26, including their narrow 1-0 defeat to Iraq last week.

Oman were drawn into Group A alongside the hosts Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, while defending champions Iraq will compete in Group B with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen. Oman’s campaign will begin against Kuwait in the opening match on December 21. They will meet Qatar in the following match on December 24, and conclude the group stage games against the UAE on December 27.