“Our initial goal is to secure a spot in the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, but we also want to win this championship, especially since it’s being held on home soil,” said Al Fawaz. 

“Having the fans behind us gives us a great morale boost, and we want to make them proud.”

Saudi Arabia’s journey begins against China PR on Thursday at King Fahd International Stadium, with the team placed in a challenging Group A alongside Uzbekistan and Thailand. 

As the tournament hosts, the pressure is on, but Al Fawaz remains confident in his team’s preparation.

“We’ve trained hard for this moment, holding strong camps and playing several friendlies to get ready. This group is tough – there’s no easy team – but we’re prepared to fight for our spot in the quarter-finals.”

A promising midfielder for Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League, Al Fawaz draws inspiration not only from Noor but also from Croatian playmaker Luka Modric, whose vision and control of the game he admires. 

“Since I was a child, I have greatly admired former Saudi star Mohammed Noor. I admire his style and the way he leads the team on the field, so I consider him my role model in this game. At the international level, I really enjoy watching Croatian star Luka Modric.”

“The presence of our supporters in the stadium will be a huge motivation for us,” he added. “We, as players, need that backing to push us toward our goal.”

With his idol’s legacy in mind and a nation’s hopes resting on his shoulders, Al Fawaz is determined to lead Saudi Arabia to success.