Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 61
Group: H
Confederation: AFC
Coach: Georgios Donis
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Round of 16 (1994)

History

Saudi Arabia have participated in six FIFA World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022, making 2026 their seventh appearance. Their best result remains the 1994 edition in the United States, where they reached the round of 16 in their debut tournament. That campaign included a memorable 1-0 win over Belgium, featuring Saeed Al-Owairan's celebrated 70-yard solo goal, before losing to Sweden 3-1 in the last 16. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia produced arguably one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by defeating eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the group stage, though they did not advance beyond the group. Saudi Arabia have also won the AFC Asian Cup three times (1984, 1988, 1996).

Qualification

Saudi Arabia qualified for 2026 via the AFC fourth round, which served as a playoff for nations that had not secured automatic qualification in the third round. Saudi Arabia were placed in Group A alongside Iraq and Indonesia, hosting the mini-tournament. They clinched first place and direct qualification with a 0-0 draw against Iraq on the final matchday in October 2025. The campaign under Herve Renard, who had returned for a second stint as coach, ultimately secured Saudi Arabia's place, though Renard was subsequently dismissed in April 2026 before the tournament began.

Preparation

Following Herve Renard's dismissal in April 2026, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation appointed Greek coach Georgios Donis on April 24, 2026, on a contract through July 2027. Donis arrived from Saudi club Al Khaleej, with extensive knowledge of the Saudi Pro League. He named a preliminary 30-man squad and on June 1 confirmed the final 26, trimming goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiyah, defender Zakaria Al-Hawsawi, midfielder Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and forward Abdullah Al-Salem. Saudi Arabia opened their pre-tournament friendly schedule with a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador on May 30 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, with Sultan Mandash scoring. They are next due to face Puerto Rico on June 5 in Austin, Texas, and Senegal on June 9 in San Antonio, Texas, with their base camp in Austin. They open Group H on June 15 against Uruguay in Miami.

Latest news

Donis names final 26-man squad; four trimmed from the provisional 30

Mon 1 Jun · squad

Coach Georgios Donis confirmed Saudi Arabia's final 26-man World Cup squad on 1 June 2026, cutting four players from the preliminary 30: goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiyah, defender Zakaria Al-Hawsawi (Al-Ahli), midfielder Saleh Abu Al-Shamat (Al-Ahli) and forward Abdullah Al-Salem (Al-Qadsiah). Al-Hawsawi's and Abu Al-Shamat's omissions, both tied to fitness concerns, drew the most debate.

arabnews.com · 2026-06-02
live-feeds.com · 2026-06-02

Saudi Arabia lose pre-tournament friendly 2-1 to Ecuador in New Jersey

Sat 30 May · matches

In their first pre-World Cup friendly, Saudi Arabia lost 2-1 to Ecuador at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on 30 May 2026. Jackson Porozo (35') and Anthony Valencia (51') scored for Ecuador; Sultan Mandash pulled one back for Saudi Arabia (87').

espn.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Mohammed Al-Owais	GK	Al-Hilal
Nawaf Al-Aqidi	GK	Al-Nassr
Ahmed Al-Kassar	GK	Al-Qadsiah
Saud Abdulhamid	DF	RC Lens
Hassan Al-Tambakti	DF	Al-Hilal
Abdulelah Al-Amri	DF	Al-Nassr
Ali Lajami	DF	Al-Hilal
Jehad Thakri	DF	Al-Qadsiah
Hassan Kadesh	DF	Al-Ittihad
Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat	DF	Al-Qadsiah
Ali Majrashi	DF	Al-Ahli
Moteb Al-Harbi	DF	Al-Hilal
Nawaf Boushal	DF	Al-Nassr
Mohamed Kanno	MF	Al-Hilal
Salem Al-Dawsari	MF	Al-Hilal
Nasser Al-Dawsari	MF	Al-Hilal
Abdullah Al-Khaibari	MF	Al-Nassr
Ziyad Al-Johani	MF	Al-Ahli
Musab Al-Juwayr	MF	Al-Qadsiah
Alaa Al-Hajji	MF	NEOM SC
Khalid Al-Ghannam	MF	Al-Ettifaq
Ayman Yahya	MF	Al-Nassr
Sultan Mandash	MF	Al-Hilal
Firas Al-Buraikan	FW	Al-Ahli
Saleh Al-Shehri	FW	Al-Ittihad
Abdullah Al-Hamdan	FW	Al-Nassr