Saudi Arabia KSA

Saudi Arabia arrive at World Cup 2026 as AFC representatives ranked 61st in the world, carrying the weight of a turbulent preparation under manager Georgios Donis. The Green Falcons' buildup to the tournament has been nothing short of chaotic, with Donis only taking charge in April following the bitter exit of Hervé Renard. It is a side still finding its identity under new leadership, and that uncertainty will loom large as the competition begins.

With expectations understandably low, there is a quiet freedom to how Saudi Arabia might approach the tournament. Donis looks set to lean into that, prioritising defensive solidity as the foundation of his gameplan — a pragmatic approach that could at least keep the Green Falcons competitive in the early stages.

The concern, however, lies at the other end of the pitch. Saudi Arabia managed just seven goals across ten games in the main round of qualification, a return that paints a stark picture of a side that struggles to hurt opponents. Until that attacking output improves, progress beyond the group stage will be a significant challenge.

The squad does contain genuine quality, with the likes of Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Nasser Al-Dawsari among those capable of producing moments of inspiration. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, Mohamed Kanno in midfield, and defenders including Hassan Al-Tambakti, Ali Lajami, and Ali Majrashi will also be central to whatever Donis builds. The full group of players to watch includes Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Nawaf Boushal, Hassan Kadesh, Ziyad Al-Johani, Alaa Al-Hejji, Sultan Mandash, and Ahmed Al-Kassar.