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Jun 05, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

Saudi Arabia's Road to the 2026 World Cup

AI Summary
Saudi Arabia has qualified for the 2026 World Cup under new coach Giorgios Donis, who faces challenges in team preparation. The team, led by star player Salem Al-Dawsari, aims to make an impact in Group H against Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde.

The Road to the 2026 World Cup

Saudi Arabia has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but their journey has been marked by significant changes. Hervé Renard was fired as head coach in April and replaced by Georgios Donis, who had to pick his squad without overseeing a game.

Donis, a Greek winger formerly of Blackburn, has coached four Saudi Pro League clubs and knows the league and players, which is why he got the job. His first competitive game as head coach will be against Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay.

The Coach's Challenge

Donis faces a tough task in preparing his team for the World Cup. The team's previous coach, Hervé Renard, had a successful stint from 2019 to 2023, overseeing a famous win against Argentina at the Qatar World Cup. However, his second spell was underwhelming, and the team scraped through qualification.

Star Player: Salem Al-Dawsari

Salem Al-Dawsari is Saudi Arabia's star player. The Asian Player of the Year scored the winning goal against Argentina in 2022 and has consistently been one of the stars of Al-Hilal, cutting in from the left to maximum effect.

One to Watch: Musab Al-Juwayr

Musab Al-Juwayr is 22, but has already made more than 30 appearances for the Green Falcons. More is still expected of the creative midfielder who won the Saudi Pro League’s Most Promising Player award last season for his vision, passing skills and ability to slow things down when others are rushing around.

Unsung Hero: Firas Al-Buraikan

Firas Al-Buraikan is an important player for Saudi Arabia. Saudi strikers get a bad press, but Al-Buraikan has scored goals when given time and opportunities. He hasn’t quite become the undisputed No 9 for his country that many expected, but never stops working or running.

Probable Starting XI

The probable starting XI for Saudi Arabia includes:
  • Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al-Owais
  • Defenders: Omar Hawsawi , Ali Al-Bulaihi , Hassan Kadesh , Saud Abdulhamid
  • Midsfielders: Nasser Al-Khateeb , Abdullah Otayf , Salman Al-Faraj
  • Forwards: Salem Al-Dawsari , Firas Al-Buraikan , Moussa Marega

What to Expect from Fans at Games

Saudi Arabian fans are expected to be well-represented at the World Cup, with ticket sales described as “steady” from fans in the country and with the Saudi community in the United States. There should be a few thousand in Miami, Atlanta and Houston.

Relationship with the US/Trump

Saudi Arabia has a close relationship with the US, being one of President Trump's favourite countries. However, Saudi Arabian players and staff don't make political statements as a matter of course.