AFC · Group H
Saudi Arabia at FIFA World Cup 2026
Saudi Arabia qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group H opponents
Saudi Arabia plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Saudi Arabia fixtures
Saudi Arabia in the tournament
Saudi Arabia arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #58 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 60/100. AFC (Asia) sends 8 teams to 2026. South Korea, Japan, and Australia have all reached the knockout rounds in recent tournaments.
The 48-team format puts Saudi Arabia in Group H with Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #36, with Saudi Arabia in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Saudi Arabia squad for World Cup 2026
Announced June 1, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Georgios Donis
Saudi Arabia's seventh World Cup appearance. The Green Falcons -- four years after their famous Argentina upset in 2022 -- bring a fully domestic-based squad (25 of 26 from Saudi clubs). Greek coach Georgios Donis has succeeded Herve Renard mid-cycle. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal) and striker Firas Al-Buraikan lead. Open against Spain in Atlanta on June 15.
Goalkeepers3
- Mohammed Al-Owais(Al Ula)
- Nawaf Al-Aqidi(Al Nassr)
- Ahmed Al-Kassar(Al Qadsiah)
Defenders10
- Saud Abdulhamid(Lens)
- Hassan Al-Tambakti(Al Hilal)
- Abdulelah Al-Amri(Al Nassr)
- Nawaf Boushal(Al Nassr)
- Ali Lajami(Al Hilal)
- Ali Majrashi(Al Ahli)
- Hassan Kadesh(Al Ittihad)
- Moteb Al-Harbi(Al Hilal)
- Jehad Thakri(Al Qadsiah)
- Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat(Al Qadsiah)
Midfielders9
- Salem Al-DawsariCaptain(Al Hilal)Hero of 2022 Argentina upset
- Mohamed Kanno(Al Hilal)
- Nasser Al-Dawsari(Al Hilal)
- Abdullah Al-Khaibari(Al Nassr)
- Musab Al-Juwayr(Al Qadsiah)
- Ayman Yahya(Al Nassr)
- Ziyad Al-Johani(Al Ahli)
- Sultan Mandash(Al Hilal)
- Alaa Al-Hejji(Neom)
Forwards4
- Firas Al-Buraikan(Al Ahli)
- Saleh Al-Shehri(Al Ittihad)
- Abdullah Al-Hamdan(Al Nassr)
- Khalid Al-Ghannam(Al Ettifaq)
Sources: Sports Illustrated, Al Jazeera. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about Saudi Arabia
When does Saudi Arabia play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Saudi Arabia plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 15, 2026. The opener is against URU. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Saudi Arabia in at the World Cup 2026?
Saudi Arabia is in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Saudi Arabia's FIFA ranking?
Saudi Arabia entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #58 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the wider qualifier pool. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Saudi Arabia win the World Cup 2026?
Saudi Arabia's pre-tournament strength rating is 60/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are tournament debutants or lower-ranked qualifiers; reaching the second round would be a notable achievement. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.