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.
Here is what you need to know about Saudi Arabia.
- FIFA World Cup: All teams, squads and players – complete list
- Who are the big stars missing from the FIFA World Cup?
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)
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fifa-world-cup-2026-saudi-arabia-all-players-full-squad-list-key-stats-schedule
