A cruciate ligament injury deprives the Saudi national team of one of its most prominent stars in the World Cup 2026

 The Saudi national team received a painful blow about three months before the start of the 2026 World Cup after the absence of its defender Waleed Al-Ahmad was confirmed after he suffered a cut in the cruciate ligament.

Al-Qadisiyah Club announced in an official statement that the medical examinations proved that the player suffered a cut in the cruciate ligament, and that he will undergo surgery during the coming period, while the duration of his absence and his rehabilitation program will be determined later under the supervision of the medical staff.

Al-Ahmad, 26, was injured during Al-Qadisiyah's match against Al-Ahli Jeddah in the 26th round of the Saudi League following contact with striker Ivan Toney.

Al-Ahmad is one of the main elements that Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard has relied on in the recent period, and he was a candidate to enter the national team's list participating in the World Cup finals, where the Saudi national team plays in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde and Uruguay.