Brendan Rodgers Joins Al Qadsiah as FIFA Arab Cup Dominates December Headlines
As 2025 draws to a close, the FIFA Arab Cup took center stage as a contingent from the Saudi Pro League, and the Saudi Arabia national side, focused on the tournament. With the Saudi Pro League on a break, all eyes were on the FIFA Arab Cup and the Saudi national side.
Elsewhere, development off the pitch marked the month of December, with potential implications on the action in the RSL when it resumes. Most notably, the high-profile appointment of Brendan Rodgers as Al Qadsiah’s new manager following Michel’s departure. Here are the stories making headlines in December 2025.
The Saudi Pro League Represented at the FIFA Arab Cup
The dawn of December 2025 saw the kick off of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. The tournament is hallmarked by a strong contingent from the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), without counting the players in the Saudi Arabia national team.
The tournament is made up of 16 teams divided into four groups of four. The top two slides from each pool will advance into the quarter-finals. The contingent from the RSL are highlighted below:
Morocco (The Atlas Lions)
- Marwan Saadane – Al Fateh
- Aschraf El Mahdioui – Al Taawoun
- Abderrazak Hamdallah – Al Shabaab
Algeria (The Desert Warriors)
- Abdelkader Badrane – Damac
- Sofiane Bendebka – Al Fateh
- Yassine Benzia – Al Fayha
- Amir Sayoud – Al Hazem
Iraq (The Lions of Mesopotamia)
- Ibrahim Bayesh – Al Riyadh
- Ali Jassim – Al Najmah
The RSL contingent at the FIFA Arab Cup, other than the Saudi Arabia national team group, is a demonstration of the Saudi Pro League’s burgeoning influences in the region. It also underscores the emergence of the RSL as one of the most impactful leagues in the world of football.
Saudi Arabia Stunned by Jordan in the Semi-Final as the Green Falcons’ Hopes are Dashed
On December 15th, Jordan shocked Saudi Arabia in a dramatic semifinal victory to end Hervé Renard’s hopes of winning the FIFA Arab Cup for the first time since 2002.
This defeat also meant the end of some of the influential players in the RSL, including those that have made a fast start to the 2025/26 season. Some of the notable players include Waleed Al Ahmed (Al Taawoun), Saleh Abu Al Shamat (Al Ahli), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Feras Al Buraikan (Al Ahli), and Murad Al Hawsawi (Al Khaleej).
It is back to the drawing board for Hervé Renard and his charges after the disappointment at the FIFA Arab Cup. For most of these players, the immediate priority is returning to action in the RSL. For Hervé Renard, the focus will be the World Cup, with the opener against Uruguay on June 15th, 2026.
William Troost-Ekong Gives an Insight into Life at Al Kholood and the Roshn Saudi League
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong, who plies his trade at RSL’s Al Kholood, made headlines in December 2025 by anointing his international retirement.
In a Captain’s Column post, Troost-Ekong framed the November (2025) difficult results for the Nigerian national side as character tests that clarified his priorities and prompted a focus on club responsibilities and long-term legacy.
His responsibilities at his rapidly developing club side, Al Kholood, and the broader RSL project, shaped his decision-making. He expressed optimism for Nigeria’s future success and highlighted his confidence in the young crop of players stepping up and taking the Super Eagles forward.
Hervé Renard and the Green Falcons Have Massive Dreams Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The Saudi national side’s boss, Hervé Renard, in December 2025, exuded confidence in his side to make an impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada, U.S.A, and Mexico.
Renard drew parallels from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they faced Argentina, the eventual champions, to their Group H in the 2026 World Cup where they will face Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
The Saudi national side, packed with RSL players, will be undaunted as they face some of the best sides and players at the 2026 World Cup. They are filled with quality in their own right. For example, Al Qadsiah playmaker Musab Al Juwayr is the reigning young player of the year. Captain Jehad Thikri has had more than a full season playing alongside former Real Madrid defender, Nacho.
The Green Falcons will also look to rapidly develop Saleh Abu Al Shamat (Al Ahli), full-back Nawaf Boushal (Al Nassr), defender Waleed Al Ahmed (Al Taawoun), and midfielder Murad Al Hawsawi (Al Khaleej).
Hervé Renard and his charges will also need to learn from their failings at the FIFA Arab Cup ahead of their opener against Uruguay. They will need tactical discipline, a dynamic approach to attack, and a better balance in midfield. This will especially be crucial in matches against better sides like Uruguay and Spain.
Merih Demiral Extends His Stay at Al Ahli and the Roshn Saudi League
Al Ahli’s Merih Demiral committed his future to the club, penning a new three-year deal that will keep him in the RSL until at least 2029.
The Turkiye international, who played for Juventus and Atalanta, joins a growing list of those 2023 trailblazers to re-sign and re-commit to the RSL, including Yssine Bono and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic both of Al Hilal.
The extension is a further demonstration of the league’s growing status and importance in world football. Demiral’s partnership with Ibanze at the heart of Al Ahli’s defense will continue, which is good news for the fans and the manager as they look to make an impact at the top-end of the Saudi Pro League.
Michel Leaves Al Qadsiah
On December 15th, 2025, Al Qadsiah parted company with manager Michel. The Real Madrid great, who was manager of Al Khober into the 2024/25 RSL season, leaves after two years on the East Coast.
In the 2024/25 season, Muchel guided Al Qadsiah to a fourth-placed finish on their return to the RSL for the first time in four years. They also reached the King’s Cup final, where they were beaten by the new RSL champions Al Ittihad.
At the time of the news, Al Qadsiah sat fifth in the 2025/26 season after nine rounds of fixtures. Their next assignment in the RSL will be against Damac after the league resumes after the end of the FIFA Arab Cup.
Al Qadsiah Appoint Brendan Rodgers
On December 16th, 2025, in a landmark moment, Al Qadsiah announced the appointment of former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to replace the exiting manager Michel.
The calibre and experience of Brendan Rodgers means that he will be a great addition to the array of managerial talent plying their trade in the RSL.
Rodgers, 52, will have the responsibility of taking Al Qadsiah to the next level as they bid to push on and compete at the top end of the RSL.
As 2025 comes to a close, the RSL is gearing up to resume after the break caused by the FIFA Arab Cup. The return of the league action will see the action continue, especially with the fierce contention at the top-end of the RSL.
