World Cup 2026

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: Defiance, Destiny, and the Ghost of Argentina

Out at the group stageFIFA #60Group H — Spain · Cape Verde · Uruguay

FutAve take

The Story

Saudi Arabia arrive at their third consecutive World Cup carrying the weight of one of the tournament's most electrifying upsets — and the hunger to prove Qatar 2022 was no accident. Thrown into Group H alongside Spain and Uruguay, the Green Falcons face a gauntlet that will expose every weakness or announce a genuine contender.

How they qualified

Saudi Arabia navigated a grueling multi-stage AFC campaign — grinding through second and third rounds before clinching first place in their Continental Play-Off group with a composed 0-0 draw against Iraq. It was a campaign built on resilience rather than flair, and the mood is cautiously optimistic despite a coaching upheaval that saw Georgios Donis appointed just weeks before kickoff, replacing the dismissed Hervé Renard.

Why watch

If you love an underdog with teeth, Saudi Arabia is your team. They dismantled the myth of South American invincibility in Qatar and now face Spain and Uruguay again with everything to prove. A new coach, a tight-knit domestic core, and Salem Al-Dawsari's magic still in the tank — every match in Group H is must-watch chaos.

Squad spotlight

Players to Know

The Star

Salem Al-Dawsari

Al Hilal

Salem Al-Dawsari is the heartbeat of Saudi football — the man whose name was chanted across the Arab world after Qatar 2022.

Why they matter

The Al Hilal winger is the creative soul of this squad and the one opponent defenses must plan around first. In a group featuring Spain and Uruguay, his ability to conjure moments of individual brilliance could be the difference between glory and elimination.

Watch for

Track his movement in wide spaces — he drifts inside to combine and lurks for the sudden, venomous finish that has defined his international career. When Saudi Arabia need a miracle, the ball finds him.

The X-Factor

Firas Al-Buraikan

Al Ahli

Firas Al-Buraikan is a relentless, dynamic forward whose direct running and instinct in front of goal make him a constant threat.

Why they matter

With Saudi Arabia needing goals against elite backlines in Group H, Al-Buraikan's willingness to run in behind and unsettle high defensive lines gives the attack a different dimension beyond Al-Dawsari's creativity.

Watch for

Watch how he exploits the channels when Saudi Arabia transition quickly — his acceleration and positional instinct are at their sharpest in those frantic, open moments that World Cup group games inevitably produce.

The Glue Guy

Hassan Tambakti

Al Hilal

Hassan Tambakti is the composed, commanding Al Hilal centre-back who anchors Saudi Arabia's defensive structure at the highest level.

Why they matter

Against Núñez, Valverde, and Spain's relentless forwards, Saudi Arabia's defensive solidity will determine how far they go. Tambakti's authority in the air and his ability to organize those around him are central to any upset ambitions.

Watch for

Study his reading of the game in transition — he excels at cutting out second balls and snuffing danger before it becomes a crisis, the quiet engine behind Saudi Arabia's defensive shape.

The Veteran

Saleh Al-Shehri

Al Ittihad

Saleh Al-Shehri is a seasoned, intelligent centre-forward whose hold-up play and experience give Saudi Arabia's attack its backbone.

Why they matter

In a squad facing a coaching transition under pressure, Al-Shehri's experience and composure in high-stakes moments are invaluable. He gives younger teammates a reliable focal point and brings the kind of calm that only comes from having been on this stage before.

Watch for

Watch how he links play when Saudi Arabia are pinned back — his ability to hold possession and bring teammates into the game is underappreciated but vital when the Green Falcons need to relieve pressure.

The FutAve Watch

Mohamed Kanno

Al Hilal

Mohamed Kanno is a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder whose energy and technical quality at Al Hilal mark him as one to track closely.

Why they matter

With Saudi Arabia needing midfield legs and quality to compete against Spain's possession machine and Uruguay's physical midfield, Kanno's capacity to cover ground, win duels, and drive forward makes him a pivotal figure in whether Donis's system clicks.

Watch for

Keep an eye on his off-ball movement and his role in pressing triggers — in the Spain fixture especially, his work rate in and out of possession will shape whether Saudi Arabia can compress space effectively or get overrun.

FutAve layer