The Saudi Arabian men’s football team will play two international friendlies at Newcastle United’s stadium in September, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia owns most of Newcastle. On September 8 and 12, the Saudi national team will play against Costa Rica and South Korea at St. James’ Park.
Saudi Arabia is using these two games to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar in January 2024. The last of Saudi Arabia’s three Asian Cup wins was in 1996.