🇸🇦
AFC
GREEN FALCONS
Saudi Arabia
World Cup 2026
The team that shocked the world by beating Argentina 2-1 in Qatar 2022 returns for another World Cup campaign. The Green Falcons are one of Asia's most watched teams, led by the electric Mohammed Al-Dawsari and Saud Abdulhamid — Saudi Arabia's first player to succeed regularly in a top European league.
🏆 Shocked Argentina 2022
⚽ AFC Qualifier
🌍 6 World Cups
6
World Cup appearances
2022
Beat Argentina 2-1
AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Moment That Changed Everything
November 22, 2022 — Lusail Stadium, Qatar. Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina. One of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Saleh Al-Shehri equalised before Mohammed Al-Dawsari scored one of the goals of the tournament — a curling right-foot shot into the top corner that made the entire Arab world erupt. Argentina and Messi had been heavy favourites. The Green Falcons proved football is beautifully unpredictable.
2-1
vs Argentina (WC 2022)
6th
World Cup appearance
3rd
Round reached in 1994
Key Storylines
⚡
Al-Dawsari's Magic
Mohammed Al-Dawsari is one of Asia's finest footballers. The Al-Hilal winger scored 'that goal' against Argentina in 2022 and remains Saudi Arabia's most dangerous attacking threat. His ability on the ball is elite-level by any standard.
🏛️
Saud Abdulhamid — European Pioneer
Saud Abdulhamid became Saudi Arabia's first regular starter in Serie A when he joined AS Roma. His performances in European football give the Green Falcons a genuine connection to top-level club football that is rare for AFC teams.
💰
Saudi Pro League Effect
The Saudi Pro League now hosts Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and dozens of global stars. While these players aren't eligible for the Saudi national team, the infrastructure investment has massively improved domestic standards and training facilities.
🎯
AFC's Toughest Qualifier
The Asian qualifying rounds feature Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia competing for limited spots. Saudi Arabia navigating this campaign to reach 2026 is a significant achievement in Asia's most competitive era of international football.
🌏
Geopolitical Football
Saudi Arabia's global sporting ambitions extend beyond football into Formula 1, LIV Golf, and boxing. The national team's World Cup appearance is part of a much wider strategy to use sport as soft power on the world stage.
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2034 World Cup Hosts
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — making 2026 an important dress rehearsal and profile-building opportunity. Every World Cup appearance between now and 2034 matters enormously for domestic football development.
Saudi Arabia Highlights
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1-Minute Match | Saudi Arabia 0-3 Republic of Ireland | 2002 World Cup
1-Minute Match | Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt | 2018 FIFA World Cup
How Three Americans Officiated Argentina-England at FIFA World Cup 2026 | U.S. Soccer Podcast
Saudi Arabia | ALL World Cup Goals In History
The Best of the FIFA Fan Festival! 🌟⚽️🙌 FIFA World Cup 2026
BTS perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Topps Halftime Show!
Analysis & Features
Crysencio Summerville is off to Saudi Arabia and West Ham fans should be furious
2 months, 2 weeks agoSpain’s tactical experiment hits a speed bump against Saudi Arabia
3 months, 2 weeks agoSaudi Arabia’s draw against Uruguay proves the Pro League investment is working
3 months, 3 weeks agoSaudi Arabia’s tactical discipline almost stifled Uruguay's attack
3 months, 3 weeks agoUruguay's tactical stagnation against Saudi Arabia is a alarm bell
3 months, 3 weeks agoSaudi Arabia against Uruguay is a tactical nightmare for the Saudis
3 months, 3 weeks agoThree days to kickoff and nobody knows what to expect from Saudi Arabia
4 months agoSaudi Arabia’s World Cup squad isolationism is a massive gamble
4 months, 1 week agoDarwin Nunez is already done in Saudi Arabia after the Al-Hilal disaster
5 months agoSaudi Arabia's transfer rethink is the final hurdle for Mohamed Salah's exit
5 months, 3 weeks agoLatest Saudi Arabia News
Michael Carrick set to take Man United stars for 'intensive training camp' in Ireland - after talks over a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia were shelved
Daily Mail
·
6 months, 1 week ago
Saudi Arabia unsettle Liverpool with triple transfer target swoop: report
FourFourTwo
·
6 months, 1 week ago
Steven Gerrard's return to Liverpool after his wife shunned living in Saudi Arabia
Mirror Football
·
6 months, 1 week ago
Top footballers could shun Saudi Arabia due to war in Iran, warns former Premier League chief - as their clubs are linked with move for Mohamed Salah this summer
Daily Mail
·
6 months, 1 week ago
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves for role with Saudi Arabia as World Cup looms
The Guardian
·
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Liverpool handed major boost on the eve of summer transfer window with club chief set to STAY at Anfield - despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia
Daily Mail
·
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Premier League heads for crunch weekend, Haaland ready for ‘final’, Saudi Arabia sack Renard – football live
The Guardian
·
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Premier League heads for crunch weekend, Caicedo signs new Chelsea deal, Saudi Arabia sack Renard – football live
The Guardian
·
5 months, 3 weeks ago
What does the Saudi Arabia PIF's change in approach mean for Newcastle?
BBC
·
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Schira states Rabiot turned down ‘amazing’ offer from Saudi Arabia recently: “Satisfied with Milan”
Sempre Milan
·
5 months, 2 weeks ago
CM: Rabiot rejected Saudi Arabian offer worth three times his Milan deal – the reasoning
Sempre Milan
·
5 months, 2 weeks ago
Scandals, social media faux pas and snubs from Saudi Arabian clubs - why Chelsea are ignoring John Terry's come-and-get-me pleas, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Daily Mail
·
5 months, 2 weeks ago