Hiiraan Online
Wednesday October 4, 2017
London (HOL) - Mukhtar Ali may be the first Somali to play in the World Cup after receiving Saudi citizenship and a call up to the Mens National Team.
The 19 year-old midfielder who just completed a permanent transfer from football powerhouse Chelsea to Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands made the announcement yesterday via twitter.
Mukhtar was born in the holy city of Mecca to Somali parents before moving to the UK at an early age.
He came through the Chelsea Youth Academy and represented England at the U16 and U17 level.
Saudi Arabia secured their place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia next summer following a 1-0 win against Japan in their last AFC Round 3 Group B match last month.
Russia 2018 will mark Saudi Arabia’s return to the World Cup after an eight year hiatus. Saudi Arabia has played in four previous World Cups, qualifying first back in 1994 and playing in the next three World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006).