Talajić Names 29-Man Squad for September Friendlies

Friendlies set vs Qatar (Sept 3) and UAE (Sept 8)

Preparation for Arab Cup 2025 in Doha this December

Bahrain to face Qatar and UAE in Arab Cup tune-ups

Croatian coach Dragan Talajić has confirmed a 29-man Bahrain squad for next month’s international window. The national team open against Qatar on September 3 at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha (6.15pm Bahrain time), before facing the UAE on September 8 at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium (7.15pm).

Preparation Priority

The two friendlies serve as tune-ups for the Fifa Arab Cup 2025 in Doha this December, with Bahrain first needing to clear a qualifying playoff against Djibouti in November. Both opponents are ranked above Bahrain on Fifa’s list — Qatar 53rd worldwide and fifth in Asia, the UAE 65th and 10th. The Bahrainis sit 89th and 12th in the AFC. Talajić will also use the window to continue blooding younger talent, following the summer camp in Slovenia where several veterans were phased out.

Squad in Full

The 29 players selected are: Ebrahim Lutfalla, AbdulKarim Fardan, Yousif Habib, Mohammed AlGharbali, Waleed AlHayyam, Amine Bennadi, Sayed Mehdi Baqer, Hamad Shamsan, Ahmed Bughammar, AlSayed Mahmood Almoosawi, Ahmed Dhiyaa, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Hussain Jameel, Hazaa Ali, Mohammed Marhoon, Vincent Emmanuel, Hussain AlEker, Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Komail AlAswad, Jassim AlShaikh, Omar Saber, Ahmed AlSherooqi, Ali Madan, Mehdi Humaidan, Ebrahim AlKhattal, Mehdi Abduljabbar, Hussain Abdulkarim, Mohammed Romaihi, and Abdulla AlSabeei.

Next Steps

Aside from the Arab Cup, both Qatar and the UAE are also preparing for the AFC’s fourth round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers in October, while Bahrain have already exited that competition. That context makes the September camp all the more crucial for Talajić’s side as they look to measure themselves against stronger regional rivals and build momentum into November’s qualifier.