In a pivotal move for Sri Lankan football, Abdullah Almutairi has been named the interim head coach of the national team. Almutairi, who previously led Nepal’s national team and Afghanistan national team, is stepping into the role with just weeks to prepare for the crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia.
The announcement followed a high-profile meeting between the Sri Lanka Football Federation (SLFF) President and key figures from Qatar’s Aspire Zone, including former Australian star Tim Cahill. With this new appointment, Almutairi will be tasked with leading Sri Lanka through the upcoming qualifiers.
The team is set to face Cambodia in two important matches: the first leg at home in Colombo on September 5th, and the second leg away on September 10th. Almutairi’s immediate focus will be on preparing the squad for these critical games, as they aim for a spot in the Asian Cup 2027 Qualifers third round.
Sri Lankan football fans and officials are hopeful that Almutairi’s experience and fresh perspective will provide the boost needed for a successful qualification campaign. The clock is ticking, and all eyes will be on Almutairi as he starts this new chapter in Sri Lankan football.