🇸🇦
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
12 days until World Cup 2026 kicks off
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
View All
10-Minute Goal-Fest | Germany vs Saudi Arabia | 2002 FIFA World Cup
World Cup Uncut | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia | 2022 FIFA World Cup
1-Minute Match | Saudi Arabia vs Mexico | 2022 FIFA World Cup
EVERY Goal From The World Cup 2026 Play-Off Final Teams!
@nerevolution’s Matt Turner is ready for his 2nd @fifa World Cup! 🧤
Danley Jean Jacques is ready to ball out at the World Cup with Haiti!🇭🇹⚽️
Analysis & Features
Darwin Nunez is already done in Saudi Arabia after the Al-Hilal disaster
3 weeks, 2 days agoSaudi Arabia's transfer rethink is the final hurdle for Mohamed Salah's exit
1 month, 1 week agoHarry Kane to Saudi Arabia? Bayern Munich are getting nervous
1 month, 4 weeks agoMohamed Salah's Liverpool exit faces sudden Saudi Arabia complication
2 months agoSaudi Arabia's Billion-Dollar League Is Killing Its National Team
2 months, 1 week 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
·
2 months ago
Saudi Arabia unsettle Liverpool with triple transfer target swoop: report
FourFourTwo
·
2 months ago
Steven Gerrard's return to Liverpool after his wife shunned living in Saudi Arabia
Mirror Football
·
2 months 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
·
2 months ago
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves for role with Saudi Arabia as World Cup looms
The Guardian
·
1 month, 2 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
·
1 month, 1 week ago
Premier League heads for crunch weekend, Haaland ready for ‘final’, Saudi Arabia sack Renard – football live
The Guardian
·
1 month, 1 week ago
Premier League heads for crunch weekend, Caicedo signs new Chelsea deal, Saudi Arabia sack Renard – football live
The Guardian
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1 month, 1 week ago
What does the Saudi Arabia PIF's change in approach mean for Newcastle?
BBC
·
1 month, 1 week ago
Schira states Rabiot turned down ‘amazing’ offer from Saudi Arabia recently: “Satisfied with Milan”
Sempre Milan
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1 month, 1 week ago
CM: Rabiot rejected Saudi Arabian offer worth three times his Milan deal – the reasoning
Sempre Milan
·
1 month, 1 week 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
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1 month ago