Saudi Arabia are at the World Cup for the third successive tournament and seventh time overall. They’ll be hoping to mimic their first ever appearance when they reached the last 16.
The Green Falcons won two of their four games in 1994, as many as they have managed in their next 15 World Cup matches. And those wins came in the past two World Cups, though one win in both wasn’t enough to seal passage to the knockout stages.
Get all the latest Saudi Arabia stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the Asian side here.
Saudi Arabia route to the World Cup
Saudi Arabia had to fight hard for their spot at the World Cup, going until the fourth round of AFC qualifying. They entered in the second round and finished second in their group, behind Jordan on goal difference. That earned Saudi Arabia their spot in the next stage. But Saudi Arabia were put in a group alongside Japan and Australia and finished third, having to contest the fourth round. They took four points from their two games in the three-team round-robin format to secure their spot at the World Cup. But even then it was only on goals scored.
Saudi Arabia World Cup 2026 fixtures
Saudi Arabia open up their 2026 World Cup campaign against Uruguay on 15th June, before facing Spain on 21st June. They close the group out against Cape Verde on 27th June, which could be a crucial match.
READ MORE: Get the latest Saudi Arabia World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Saudi Arabia key players for World Cup 2026
Saudi Arabia top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Firas Al-Buraikan
- Key stat: Firas Al-Buraikan was Saudi Arabia’s top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Saudi Arabia weren’t the best of goalscorers in AFC World Cup qualifying. So it only took five goals for Firas Al-Buraikan to be their top scorer. But that shouldn’t take away from his threat. The 25-year-old is in a decent vein of form for Saudi Arabia, scoring six goals in his past 14 appearances for Saudi Arabia across all competitions. This includes two in the crucial qualifying game against Indonesia.
Saudi Arabia primary playmaker: Salem Al-Dawsari
- Key stat: Salem Al-Dawsari has averaged 2.02 chances created per 90 minutes in the Saudi Pro League.
Salem Al-Dawsari is the Saudi Arabia star. He will carry the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders. But it’s a burden he can bear. Al-Dawsari will be a goal threat, but he will also help provide chances. The 34-year-old has averaged 2.02 chances created per 90 minutes in the Saudi Pro League this season. He has also averaged 0.45 assists per 90, sitting in the top five in the league for that metric.
Saudi Arabia card magnets & top tacklers: Hassan Al-Tambakti
- Key stat: Hassan Al-Tambakti won 19 tackles in World Cup qualifying, more than any other Saudi Arabia player.
Hassan Al-Tambakti is a centre-back, but he’s got the tackle numbers of a full-back or defensive midfielder. The 27-year-old won 19 tackles in World Cup qualifying, which was more than any other Saudi Arabia player. Only one player made more tackles across AFC qualifying as a whole. And Al-Tambakti wasn’t a stranger to fouls either, committing 12 with three yellow cards.
Saudi Arabia rising star: Musab Al-Juwayr
There’s every chance that Musab Al-Juwayr could be a starter for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup. He finds himself on the periphery of the XI, often rotating with Nasser Al-Dawsari. But Al-Juwayr has a good record and is a threat in taking set-pieces. He will turn 23 during the World Cup group stage, but is expected to be one of the youngest players in the squad.
STAND-OUT STAT: Saudi Arabia gave away more fouls per 90 minutes than any other team at the 2022 World Cup with an average of 18.7 per game.
Saudi Arabia set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Firas Al-Buraikan
- Free kicks: Saleh Abu Al-Shamat
- Corners: Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat
Saudi Arabia tactical analysis and formation
Saudi Arabia team stats (average per game from last four matches):
- Corners: 6.75
- Shots on target: 2.5
- Shots on target conceded: 3.0
- Offsides: 1.5
There are a few setups we could see from Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, especially with two tough teams in their group. But a 4-3-3 has been their more favoured system in recent times. Abdullah Al-Khaibari sits at the base of the midfield in this system, with Mohamed Kanno and Nasser Al-Dawsari helping alongside him. The start man is Salem Al-Dawsari who can feature on either wing but has been more at home on the left. Nawaf Al-Aqidi has become Saudi Arabia’s undisputed No.1.
Get the latest Saudi Arabia World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Saudi Arabia manager analysis
Saudi Arabia are on the lookout for a new manager after the departure of Herve Renard. The Frenchman was removed from his position in April, less than two months before the start of the tournament.
Renard was in charge of Saudi Arabia for their last World Cup campaign, which started with victory over eventual winners Argentina. But they lost their next two matches and were knocked out at the group stage. He then led Saudi Arabia to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup last summer, and the semi-finals of the winter’s Arab Cup.
Saudi Arabia World Cup FAQs
Have Saudi Arabia ever won the World Cup?
Saudi Arabia have never won the World Cup. Their best finish came in 1994 when they reached the last 16.
Where did Saudi Arabia finish in the last World Cup?
Saudi Arabia were knocked out in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Who will be Saudi Arabia captain at the World Cup?
Salem Al-Dawsari is expected to be captain for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.
Who is Saudi Arabia’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Salem Al-Dawsari and Sami Al-Jaber have both scored three goals for Saudi Arabia at World Cups, more than any other player.
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