The Green Falcons Return to North America With Big Ambitions
Saudi Arabia
FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile
Saudi Arabia will compete at the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time and the third consecutive edition. The Green Falcons return to North America, the continent where they made their World Cup debut and produced the best campaign in their history.
After stunning eventual champion Argentina at Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia enters 2026 aiming to reach the knockout stage for only the second time.
Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup
- Confederation: AFC
- First appearance: USA 1994
- World Cup appearances: 7
- Best result: Round of 16
- Last appearance: Qatar 2022
- Head coach: Georgios Donis
- Nickname: The Green Falcons
Head Coach: Georgios Donis
Georgios Donis took charge of Saudi Arabia after building extensive experience in the Saudi Pro League. The former Greece international has coached Al Hilal, Al Fateh, Al Wehda and Al Khaleej, giving him deep knowledge of the local player pool.
That familiarity could be crucial for a squad built largely around domestic-based talent and a football system that has grown rapidly in recent years.
Road to World Cup 2026
Saudi Arabia endured a long qualifying journey. After finishing second in the second round, the Green Falcons entered a difficult third-round group with Japan and Australia before moving into the fourth round.
A 3-2 victory over Indonesia and a goalless draw against Iraq were enough to top the group on goal difference and secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
- June 15: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Miami Stadium
- June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia — Atlanta Stadium
- June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium
World Cup History
Saudi Arabia’s best World Cup came in 1994, when the Green Falcons reached the Round of 16 in their debut tournament.
Their campaign included victories over Morocco and Belgium, with Saeed Al-Owairan’s unforgettable solo goal against Belgium becoming one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.
Star Player: Salem Al-Dawsari
Salem Al-Dawsari is one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest modern footballers and a proven World Cup performer. His stunning winner against Argentina in 2022 became an instant classic.
World Cup Records
Sami Al-Jaber and Salem Al-Dawsari share Saudi Arabia’s World Cup scoring record with three goals each.
Goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea holds the national record for most World Cup appearances, with 10 matches across the 1994, 1998 and 2002 editions.
Memorable World Cup Moments
Saeed Al-Owairan’s 1994 solo goal against Belgium remains the defining image of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup history.
Nearly three decades later, the Green Falcons produced another legendary moment by defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2-1 at Qatar 2022.
2026 Outlook
Saudi Arabia enters the tournament with history, confidence and ambition. The Green Falcons know how to create World Cup shocks — now the challenge is turning one big result into a full knockout-stage campaign.
SAUDI ARABIA
Goalkeepers
- #1 Nawaf Alaqidi (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #21 Mohammed Al Owais (Al Ula Saudi FC, Saudi Arabia)
- #22 Ahmed Al Kassar (Al Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia)
Defenders
- #2 Ali Majrashi (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- #3 Ali Lajami (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
- #4 Abdulelah Al Amri (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #5 Hassan Al Tambakti (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
- #13 Nawaf Boushal (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #14 Hassan Kadish (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia)
- #24 Moteb Al Harbi (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
- #25 Jehad Thakri (Al Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia)
- #26 Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (Al Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia)
Midfielders
- #6 Nasser Al Dawsari (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
- #15 Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #16 Ziyad Al Johani (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- #17 Khalid Al Ghannam (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia)
- #18 Ala Al Hajji (Neom SC, Saudi Arabia)
- #19 Abdullah Al Hamddan (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #23 Mohammed Kanno (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
Forwards
- #7 Musab Al Juwayr (Al Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia)
- #8 Aiman Yahya (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)
- #9 Feras Al Brikan (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- #10 Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
- #11 Saleh Al Shehri (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia)
- #20 Sultan Mandash (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
Head Coach
- Georgios Donis (Greece)
