With Saudi Arabia also due to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, expectations are rising in the Kingdom ahead of the tournament.
More than three decades ago, Saudi Arabia made their FIFA World Cup debut on North American soil and reached the last-16 – a run that remains the Kingdom’s proudest football memory.
Now, having established themselves as a force in Asia, the Green Falcons head to the 2026 edition, marking their third consecutive and overall seventh appearance at the finals.
While the three-time Asian champions have lacked consistency in recent continental campaigns, they have shown their ability to pull off upsets on the biggest stage, most notably when they stunned Argentina in a group match at Qatar 2022.
Drawn in Group H against pre-tournament favourites Spain, Uruguay and Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia are up for a tricky challenge in the United States.
Quick facts
- Captain: Salem Al Dawsari
- Manager: Georgios Donis
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 7
- Best World Cup result: Round of 16 (1994)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Saudi Arabia’s final squad
Goalkeepers: Nawaf Al Aqidi (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Al Owais (Al-Ula), Ahmed Alkassar (Al-Qadsiah)
Defenders: Saud Abdulhamid (Lens), Jehad Thakri (Al-Qadsiah), Abdulelah Al Amri (Al-Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al-Hilal), Ali Lajami (Al-Hilal), Hassan Kadesh (Al-Ittihad), Moteb Al Harbi (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Boushal (Al-Nassr), Ali Majrashi (Al-Ahli), Mohammed Abu Alshamat (Al-Qadsiah)
Midfielders: Ziyad Al Johani (Al-Ahli), Nasser Al Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal), Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al-Nassr), Alaa Al Hejji (Neom), Musab Al Juwayr (Al-Qadsiah), Sultan Mandash (Al-Hilal), Ayman Yahya (Al-Nassr), Khalid Al Ghannam (Al-Ettifaq)
Forwards: Salem Al Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Abdullah Al Hamdan (Al-Nassr), Feras Al Brikan (Al-Ahli), Saleh Al Shehri (Al-Ittihad)