Newcastle United’s stadium will host two international friendlies featuring the Saudi Arabian men’s football team in September, the Premier League club declared on Wednesday.
According to sources, Saudi officials have been in talks since June, and the club was in discussions to host a friendly against Saudi Arabia at St James’ Park during the month-long international break in September.
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The Saudi national team will play Costa Rica on September 8 and South Korea on September 12 at St James’ Park, which is home to Newcastle, whose largest owner is the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.
The two matches help Saudi Arabia get ready for the AFC Asian Cup, which will take place in Qatar in January 2024. The final of Saudi Arabia’s three Asian Cup victories came in 1996.
“A nation passionate about football, Saudi Arabia captured the attention of the world at the 2014 FIFA World Cup by defeating Argentina 2-1 in a thrilling group stage encounter at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. The squad will use the two games in Tyneside as practice for the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar in January 2024.”
Saint Jame’s Park last international match
Park St. James. Since six international matches featuring a young Neymar playing for Brazil took place on Tyneside during the 2012 Olympic Games, the club has not hosted any international activity.
Prior to that, from 2001 to 2005, when Wembley was undergoing renovation, England played in three international matches in front of Geordie supporters. Due to Tyneside supporters’ disappointment, the England national team played a pre-Euro 2020 friendly at Middlesbrough FC two years ago.
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The club is looking forward to increased departures and arrivals from the Airport.
Did Newcastle qualify for the Champions League? Yes. After the qualification for the 2023/2024 Champion League, the club has been in the international arena and is looking for more bookings.
