Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup Squad: The Green Falcons, a New Coach, and the Quest to Repeat History
In 2022, Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina. Went 0-1 down to the eventual world champions, then scored twice in the second half to win 2-1 in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. The country went on a national holiday. Salem Al-Dawsari's winning goal became one of the images of the tournament.
Four years later they're back in North America with a brand-new head coach, a squad built almost entirely on domestic talent — 25 of the 26 players compete in the Roshn Saudi League — and one of the toughest groups in the tournament: Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
Saudi Arabia's best World Cup performance came in 1994 in the USA, where they reached the Round of 16 before losing to Sweden. That's the target again. The Argentina upset in 2022 gave the country belief. Whether this squad can back it up in 2026 is the question.
The Coach: Georgios Donis
Georgios Donis was appointed on April 24, just seven weeks before the tournament, after the Saudi Football Federation sacked Hervé Renard following back-to-back friendly defeats.
The 56-year-old Greek coach brings international experience, having managed Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, as well as clubs such as APOEL and Maccabi Tel Aviv. As a player, he became the first Greek in the English Premier League when Blackburn Rovers signed him in 1996 from Panathinaikos.
Across spells with Al Hilal, Al Wehda and Al Fateh, Donis has often favored tactical organization, defensive structure and experienced players capable of executing clearly defined roles. His message at the squad announcement was blunt: "I want to see my team from the first game very organised, very disciplined, to show our ambition."
A compact 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 block is expected, with defensive shape taking priority before releasing Al-Dawsari and the wide forwards on the counter. Saudi Arabia don't try to control games — they make themselves hard to beat and punish transitions.
Expected Formation: 4-3-3
Defensively compact, dangerous on the counter. Salem Al-Dawsari roams wide left, creating the same threat that tormented Argentina. Al-Brikan leads the press from the front. Kanno and the Al-Dawsari midfield trio protect the back four until the moment to break.
Goalkeepers
Nawaf Al-Aqidi — Al-Nassr
The goalkeeping duties are likely to be shared by Mohammed Al-Owais and Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who has 22 caps. Al-Aqidi is the younger option, technically assured, and has benefited from training alongside world-class talent at Al-Nassr. Likely the starter heading into the tournament under Donis.
Mohammed Al-Owais — Al-Hilal
Al-Owais brings 63 caps and World Cup experience from Qatar 2022 where he made several crucial saves. His command of the penalty area and vocal leadership give Saudi Arabia a commanding presence in goal when he plays. The competition for the starting shirt is genuine.
Ahmed Al-Kassar — Al-Qadsiah
Third-choice goalkeeper with Saudi Pro League experience. His role is to provide depth and maintain the squad environment — a reliable professional presence behind the two main options.
Defenders
Saud Abdulhamid — Lens
The only player in the squad currently playing outside Saudi Arabia. With over 50 international caps at just 26 years old, Abdulhamid stands out for his pace, attacking runs, and ability to cover the entire flank, making him a key figure on both ends of the pitch. His RC Lens experience in Ligue 1 gives him an edge in reading European attacking patterns that most of his teammates won't have faced.
Hassan Tambakti — Al-Hilal
Tambakti has over 50 caps and is one of the most experienced centre-backs in Asian football. Dominant in the air, aggressive in the tackle, and the kind of defensive leader who sets the tone for how Saudi Arabia defend as a unit.
Ali Lajami — Al-Hilal
Composed ball-playing centre-back who partners Tambakti in the back four. His ability to carry the ball out from defence triggers Saudi Arabia's transition game — when Lajami steps forward, the shape shifts quickly.
Abdulelah Al-Amri — Al-Ittihad
Experienced left-back who provides defensive stability on the opposite flank to Abdulhamid. Physical, disciplined, and difficult to beat in one-on-one situations. His understanding of Donis's defensive structure from Saudi club football is an advantage.
Hassan Kadesh — Al-Ittihad
Versatile defensive option who can play at right back or as a third centre-back. His energy and aggression make him useful in high-pressing moments, though his best position is as a backup right back option behind Abdulhamid.
Moteb Al-Harbi — Al-Hilal
Left-sided defensive option who provides cover across the back line. His pace and recovery speed give Donis flexibility in how he lines up against teams with dangerous wide forwards.
Nawaf Boushal — Al-Nassr
Young right back developing quickly at Al-Nassr. His inclusion speaks to the depth Saudi Arabia now have at full-back and the federation's commitment to building a generation beyond the current starters.
Ali Majrashi — Al-Ahli
Experienced international who has been part of the Saudi setup for several years. His positional intelligence and leadership in the locker room contribute beyond the matchday squad selection.
Jehad Thakri — Al-Qadsiah
One of the newer defensive additions to the national team setup. Thakri's form for Al-Qadsiah earned him his place and gives Donis an additional option in the centre-back position.
Midfielders
Salem Al-Dawsari — Al-Hilal
The team captain. The 34-year-old Al-Hilal left winger is the most experienced player in the squad with 108 caps. He scored the winner against Argentina at Qatar 2022. He is the creative heartbeat of this team, the player who opponents must account for from the first minute. When Saudi Arabia are at their best, Al-Dawsari is at the centre of it.
Mohamed Kanno — Al-Hilal
Kanno marshals the midfield alongside Nasser Al-Dawsari. The defensive anchor who wins second balls, protects the back four, and recycles possession without fanfare. His World Cup experience from 2022 is invaluable in managing tournament pressure.
Nasser Al-Dawsari — Al-Hilal
A different profile to his namesake Salem — Nasser is the box-to-box option, covering ground and arriving late into attacking positions. His energy in the middle third gives Saudi Arabia a physical presence without sacrificing technical quality.
Abdullah Al-Khaibari — Al-Nassr
Technical midfielder who has developed under the influence of world-class players at Al-Nassr. His short passing and movement in tight spaces give Donis a different option when Saudi Arabia need to control the ball rather than counter.
Musab Al-Juwayr — Al-Qadsiah
Young wide midfielder with directness and pace. His ability to beat defenders and create in the final third makes him a useful option to change the game when Saudi Arabia need something different from the bench.
Sultan Mandash — Al-Hilal
Experienced attacking midfielder who provides the squad with a player capable of operating in the number ten role. His creativity and vision offer an alternative to the more direct Salem Al-Dawsari in building attacks.
Aiman Yahya — Al-Nassr
Technical central midfielder with good positional awareness. His inclusion reflects Donis's desire for experienced domestic players who understand the demands of the system.
Mohammed Abu Alshamat — Al-Qadsiah
One of the notable story lines around this squad — his twin brother Saleh Abu Alshamat was one of the most notable omissions despite playing for Al Ahli, the reigning AFC Champions League winner. Mohammed's selection over his brother was one of Donis's most discussed decisions.
Ziyad Al-Johani — Al-Ahli
Wide midfielder from Al-Ahli's AFC Champions League-winning squad. His tournament experience at club level and ability to press from wide positions fit Donis's system.
Alaa Al-Hejji — NEOM
The only uncapped player in the 30-man group: rewarded after an outstanding season with NEOM. The midfielder's inclusion reflects the growing influence of clubs outside Saudi Arabia's traditional elite. Also notable — Al-Hejji previously worked under Donis at Al Wehda, giving him a tactical familiarity advantage with the new coach.
Forwards
Feras Al-Brikan — Al-Ahli
Al-Brikan scored many goals for the Green Falcons during qualifying and is the focal point of Saudi Arabia's attack. Tall, physical, and a genuine aerial threat, he holds the ball effectively and creates space for Salem Al-Dawsari and the wide forwards to exploit.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan — Al-Nassr
Al-Hamdan is expected to operate on the flanks, providing width and a direct threat to goal. Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr has sharpened his movement and finishing. A dangerous option in transition.
Salem Al-Dawsari — Al-Hilal
See midfielders section. In Donis's system he plays as a wide forward as much as a midfielder — his position is fluid depending on the phase of play.
Saleh Al-Shehri — Al-Ittihad
Experienced international forward with a strong domestic goals record. His ability to play wide or through the middle gives Donis a versatile attacking option from the bench in the closing stages of matches.
Khalid Al-Ghannam — Al-Ettifaq
Technical forward with creativity in tight spaces. A different profile to Al-Brikan's directness — Al-Ghannam can find pockets and create rather than simply run in behind.
Saudi Arabia's Group H Schedule
Saudi Arabia face Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde across Miami, Atlanta and Houston.
Uruguay first in Miami. Then Spain — Saudi Arabia's style of compact defensive block and quick transitions will be tested immediately by one of the best teams in the tournament. Cape Verde to close in Houston is the winnable fixture that could determine whether the Green Falcons advance.
What Saudi Arabia Actually Need to Do
The group is hard. Spain are one of the favourites for the tournament. Uruguay have Valverde, De La Cruz, and Darwin Núñez. Cape Verde are beatable but not to be underestimated.
Realistically, Donis needs a point from Uruguay and a win against Cape Verde to have any chance of advancing. The Spain game in Atlanta is likely too difficult — but a narrow defeat with a performance similar to what they showed against Argentina in 2022 keeps the belief alive.
Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, but have only reached the Round of 16 once — in 1994, also in the United States. The symmetry is there. The squad is experienced. Donis has a plan. Salem Al-Dawsari still has one more World Cup moment left in him.
📋 Download the Full Saudi Arabia Squad PDF
All 26 players, clubs, positions and the Group H schedule in one printable page.
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