Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Saudi Arabia

Get the lowdown onevery team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia.

What can I expect from Saudi Arabia?

Installing a new head coach just 59 days before your opening World Cup match is never ideal, but Saudi Arabia will hope their late appointment of Georgios Donis pays dividends.

The former Greek international had been managing Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League and replaced Herve Renard, who was given his marching orders after a 4-0 home defeat to Egypt in late March.

Donis has the task of revitalising a team that has undoubted potential, having stunned eventual champions Argentina in their opening game at the last World Cup.

Their match-winner on that occasion, Salem Al Dawsari, is still the team's star but others are emerging. Whether Donis can get the best out of them in such a short space of time remains to be seen.

What are Saudi Arabia's strengths?

Donis's Al Khaleej side scored freely in the Saudi top flight this season and he will bring a more attacking approach to the national team.

His first match in charge on May 31st was a narrow 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, but Saudi Arabia had more shots (12), more possession and attempted more forward passes than their opponents.

And what about their weaknesses?

Is there an over reliance on Saudi Arabia's reigning Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari? Their talisman is now 34 and will need some support.

All but one of the squad play domestically, and the influx of foreign talent has meant some players have not enjoyed as many minutes as they would like.

How might Saudi Arabia line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Right back Saud Abdulhamid won the French Cup with Lens this season and is the only member of the Saudi squad based abroad. Having played every minute of their 2022 World Cup campaign, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Musab Al Juwayr is an exciting young playmaker who proved his worth in qualifying, providing the most assists (3). The 22-year-old is likely to be a mainstay in this side for years to come.

Salem Al Dawsari will always be remembered for his stunning winner against Argentina four years ago. Saudi Arabia's captain is a two-time Asian Player of the Year and remains one of the biggest draws in the star-studded Saudi Pro League.

Who is Saudi Arabia's head coach?

Former Greece international Georgios Donis was appointed in April, replacing Herve Renard.

The 56-year-old, who played in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, has been coaching in Saudi Arabia but this is his first role at international level.

He becomes only the second Greek to coach at a World Cup after Alketas Panagoulias, who led his country at USA '94.

Ironically, Donis, who was playing for Greek giants Panathinaikos at the time, was a shock omission from Panagoulias' final 22-man squad 32 years ago.

How did Saudi Arabia qualify?

The Green Falcons worked hard to reach their seventh World Cup, edging through the final round of Asian qualifying with a goalless draw against Iraq.

Where can I watch Saudi Arabia?

All of Saudi Arabia's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Very few Saudi Arabians have played professional football abroad and up until now, not one has graced the Premier League.

Striker Sami Al-Jaber briefly played for second tier Wolves on loan in 2000. He made five appearances but failed to find the net.

Another forward, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, spent three weeks training with Manchester United as part of a 'commercial agreement' ahead of 2018 World Cup, but there was never any suggestion of a permanent move to Old Trafford.

Now give me some proper detail

Saudi Arabia is a hugely ambitious footballing nation. In December, the country was chosen to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and this season the great Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the Saudi Pro League for the first time with Al-Nassr.

But while Saudi Arabian football has been generating worldwide publicity, the national team has struggled to follow suit.

Since their stunning 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup – the Argentine's only defeat in a tournament they would go on to win – there has been very little to shout about.

Roberto Mancini came and went as national team manager, lasting just over a year, and suggested that the Saudi Pro League's big money signings were a hindrance to the national team, denying home-grown forwards valuable game time. Only one of Saudi Arabia's 2026 World Cup squad plays abroad – Saud Abdulhamid of Lens.

Frenchman Herve Renard, who masterminded the Green Falcons' 2022 World Cup campaign, returned to the hot seat and guided the team to the 2026 finals with a few hiccups along the way.

However, a 4-0 home defeat against Egypt in March this year cost him his job, leading to the appointment of former Greece and Blackburn midfielder Georgios Donis at the eleventh hour.

How have Saudi Arabia done at previous World Cups?

Saudi Arabia have not advanced to the knockout stage since reaching the last 16 on debut in 1998.

They have lost 68% of their World Cup matches (13 of 19), the highest loss rate of any nation to have played 15 or more games at the tournament.