We move on to 29th team in the series, Saudi Arabia. This preview was shared by u/FlyingArab. About Nickname(s): Al Akhdar (The Green), Al Suqour (The Falcons) Association: Saudi Arabian Football Federation Confederation: AFC (Asia) FIFA World Cup Appearances: 7 - (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022, 2026) Best Finish: Round of 16 (1994) Most Caps: Mohammed Al Deayea Top Scorer: Majed Abdullah FIFA Ranking: 61 The Country Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the Middle East by land area and is by far the richest. The country in its modern form was founded as the Emirate of Riyadh by Abdulaziz bin Saud, who then slowly conquered the eastern parts of modern Saudi Arabia together with local allied tribes and British support. After World War I, King Abdulaziz turned his sights towards the Kingdom of Hejaz, which contained the two Muslim holy cities Mecca and Medina. Hejaz was later conquered by Abdulaziz in 1926 and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its current form was officially established in 1932 after Najd and Hejaz were united into one kingdom. Saudi Arabia is today a significant global player thanks to its location and vast oil reserves. The country is also a significant location for Muslims all over the world because of Mecca and Medina. The current king is Salman bin Abdulaziz, who will be the last king of Abdulaziz’s progeny. The next king will be Mohammed bin Salman, son of Salman and the first king from the 3rd Saudi generation. Saudi Arabia has been often featured in international media in recent years after their recent investment blitz both inside the country and internationally. Some projects like NEOM seem destined to fail, but all eyes will be on the country in 2034 when Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup. History The Saudi National Team is one of the most successful Asian national teams in history. Some of Saudi Arabia’s accomplishments are three Asian Cups, seven World Cup qualifications and countless regional cups. Despite all the success, Saudi Arabia is infamous for big losses in World Cups, with 0-5 vs Russia in 2018, 0-4 vs Ukraine in 2006 and 0-8 vs Germany in 2002 all serving as good examples. Saudi Arabia’s best World Cup success came in 1994, where Saeed Al Oweiran’s Maradonian wondergoal vs Belgium secured qualification to the round of 16. Another historical moment happened four years ago in Qatar, when Saudi Arabia beat eventual world champions Argentina after a dramatic match. Saudi football underwent a dark age from 2007 to 2017, where the level of talent drastically dropped, and results got a lot worse as well. This will be the third consecutive World Cup appearance for Saudi Arabia, and the appearance since the era of big money investment started after the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr. Fixtures Fixture Venue Date and Time (Local time in the US) Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Hard Rock Stadium, Miami 15-06-2026 18:00 Spain vs Saudi Arabia Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta 21-06-2026 12:00 Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia NRG Stadium, Houston 25-06-2026 19:00 Manager and 26-Man Squad Position Club Player Manager - Georgios Donis GK Al-Nassr Nawaf Al-Aqidi GK Al-Ula Mohammed Al-Owais GK Al-Qadsiah Ahmed Al-Kassar DF Al-Ahli Ali Majrashi DF Al-Hilal Ali Lajami DF Al-Nassr Abdulelah Al-Amri DF Al-Hilal Hassan Al-Tambakti DF Lens Saud Abdulhamid DF Al-Nassr Nawaf Boushal DF Al-Ittihad Hassan Kadesh DF Al-Hilal Moteb Al-Harbi DF Al-Qadsiah Jehad Thakri DF Al-Qadsiah Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat MF Al-Hilal Nasser Al-Dawsari MF Al-Qadsiah Musab Al-Juwayr MF Al-Nassr Ayman Yahya MF Al-Hilal Salem Al-Dawsari (captain) MF Al-Nassr Abdullah Al-Khaibari MF Al-Ahli Ziyad Al-Johani MF Neom Alaa Al-Hejji MF Al-Hilal Sultan Mandash MF Al-Hilal Mohamed Kanno (vice-captain) FW Al-Ahli Firas Al-Buraikan FW Al-Ittihad Saleh Al-Shehri FW Al-Ettifaq Khalid Al-Ghannam FW Al-Nassr Abdullah Al-Hamdan Players to Watch Salem Al Dawsari: Most football fans in the Arab World and Asia knew Salem Al Dawsari before the 2022 World Cup, but his fame reached a global level after his historical goal and backflip against Argentina. He gets a lot of hate for “disappearing” in bigger matches with Saudi Arabia, but I'd argue that he’s a player that shows up when it matters for both club and country. He has scored and assisted in ACL finals and big league matches, and scored 3 of Saudi Arabia’s 5 goals in the last two World Cups. No matter how many big money foreigners Al Hilal bought, he outshone them all and always kept his starting position. This will be his last World Cup and many hope he has special performances saved. Saud Abdulhamid: Saud excels in multiple positions but will most likely start as a right-back for Saudi Arabia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made his debut as a defensive midfielder, where he looked like a budget Kanté, and has since primarily settled as a right-back. He grew up in the youth ranks of Al-Ittihad but left without renewing his contract, joining Al-Hilal in 2022. There, he exploded as a player and quickly became an undisputed starter. After strong seasons with Al-Hilal, he moved to Europe (Roma then Lens). In France he helped Lens win the Coupe de France and qualify for the Champions League, becoming the first Saudi player to win a major European trophy. He’s extremely fast, technically gifted on the ball, and possesses excellent defensive abilities. His crossing and attacking output have also improved significantly in France. Potential Starting XI Mohammed Al Owais Saud Abdulhamid – Abdulelah Al Amri – Hassan Tambakti – Ayman Yahya Musab Al Juwayr – Nasser Al Dawsari – Mohammed Kanno Sultan Mandash – Firas Al Buraikan – Salem Al Dawsari Points of Discussion Lack of goals: Saudi Arabia have struggled offensively for years now. The problem stems largely from limited opportunities for Saudi attackers at club level. Most clubs prioritize foreign star strikers, restricting local talent. Abdullah Al-Hamdan has frequently found himself behind Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, while Saleh Al-Shehri has faced similar competition and injury setbacks. Firas Al Buraikan remains the most reliable option up front, but his club form has been inconsistent. The emergence of creative midfielder Musab Al Juwayr will hopefully add some creativity and ball progression. Expectations in 2026: Saudi Arabia remain the most successful Arab Asian nation in World Cup history, with their unforgettable Round of 16 run in 1994 and the monumental win vs Argentina still cherished by Saudis and fans across the Arab world. However, the Green Falcons are also associated with some of the most painful and embarrassing results in Arab and Asian football. Still, there is a genuine sense of optimism heading into 2026 with new coach Georgios Donis, who was appointed in April 2026 after Hervé Renard’s sacking. Saudi Arabia qualified through a difficult playoff route and now face Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde. Progress is difficult but not impossible, especially with the new format. The key will be beating Cape Verde and getting a result against Uruguay without getting smashed too badly vs Spain.   submitted by   /u/jiraiya--an [link]   [comments]