Bahrain National Team Looks To Regroup In Turkey

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain national football team will hold a training camp in Turkey from March 22 to 31, including two friendlies against Kyrgyzstan on March 23 and Uganda on March 26. The camp comes as the squad looks to recover from a difficult international period.

Bahrain’s Arab Cup campaign in 2025 saw mixed results. The team began with a 1–0 win over Djibouti in the first qualifying round on November 26, but fell 2–1 to Iraq in Group Stage Matchday 1 on December 3. A heavy 1–5 defeat to Algeria on Matchday 2 put the team in a difficult position, and although Talajic’s side bounced back with a 3–1 win over Sudan, they were already out of contention for the knockout stage.

Earlier last year, Bahrain’s 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes ended after a 0–2 home loss to Saudi Arabia on June 5, followed by a 1–0 defeat to China on June 10. The team finished in the lower half of Group C, which included Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and China, failing to advance further.

Coach Dragan Talajic emphasized the importance of the Turkey camp for the squad to reset. “After the results we’ve had, it’s important for the team to regroup and put things right,” he said. “We want to get our act together and make sure the players are ready for the challenges ahead.”

The camp concludes on March 31, when the squad returns to the Kingdom. With two friendlies and focused preparation, the team will aim to address recent setbacks and build momentum for a stronger 2026 campaign.