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🏆 World Cup 2026 · Group H

Saudi Arabia

Direct, organised defending with controlled possession and midfield intensity.

📋 Tournament Brief

Saudi Arabia brings a direct, physically assertive style to Group H—a team built on solid defensive organisation and the capacity to impose themselves in midfield through intensity and pressing. The Green Falcons operate within the Gulf football tradition, where organised team structure and tactical discipline form the backbone of their approach. Domestically, they compete in one of Asia's most competitive leagues and have established themselves as a continental force within the AFC.

Qualifying for the World Cup represents a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's footballing trajectory. The nation has invested heavily in football development over recent decades, and reaching this tournament reflects that commitment and the growing competitiveness of their squad. This tournament offers them a platform to test themselves against elite opposition and measure their progress on global football's biggest stage.

Group H presents a formidable challenge. Spain and Uruguay are both established World Cup powers with deep tournament pedigrees; these are opponents of genuine world-class standing. Cape Verde Islands, by contrast, represent a more evenly matched affair. Saudi Arabia's task is clear: compete with intensity, maintain their defensive shape, and hunt for opportunities against opponents who will control possession and dictate play. In such company, they occupy the position of underdogs, but one capable of earning respect through organisation and effort.

Editorial preview · pre-tournament context · edited

👥 Squad & Manager updated 18 May

H. Renard
Head Coach
H. Renard
France · age 57
Predicted XI
4-3-3
Predicted starting XI · published closer to kickoff
GK
DEF
DEF
DEF
DEF
MID
MID
MID
FWD
FWD
FWD
Goalkeepers · 6
1 Nawaf Al Aqidi
Nawaf Al Aqidi
age 25
21 Abdulrahman Al Sanbi
Abdulrahman Al Sanbi
age 24
21 Mohammed Al Owais
Mohammed Al Owais
age 34
22 Ahmed Al Kassar
Ahmed Al Kassar
age 34
22 M. Al Rubaie
M. Al Rubaie
age 28
22 Raghed Najjar
Raghed Najjar
age 29
Defenders · 14
2 Ali Majrashi
Ali Majrashi
age 26
2 R. Hamidou
R. Hamidou
age 23
3 Ali Lajami
Ali Lajami
age 29
3 J. Thakri
J. Thakri
age 24
4 Abdulelah Al Amri
Abdulelah Al Amri
age 28
4 Khalifah Al Dawsari
Khalifah Al Dawsari
age 26
4 Muteb Al Mufarrij
Muteb Al Mufarrij
age 29
5 Hassan Tambakti
Hassan Tambakti
age 26
5 Mohammed Essa Harbush
Mohammed Essa Harbush
age 22
12 Saud Abdulhamid
Saud Abdulhamid
age 26
13 Nawaf Boushal
Nawaf Boushal
age 26
14 Hassan Kadesh
Hassan Kadesh
age 33
14 Waleed Al Ahmad
Waleed Al Ahmad
age 26
17 Mohammed Bakor
Mohammed Bakor
age 21
Midfielders · 14
6 N. Masoud
N. Masoud
age 24
6 Nasser Al Dawsari
Nasser Al Dawsari
age 27
7 Salman Al Faraj
Salman Al Faraj
age 36
8 Ziyad Al Johani
Ziyad Al Johani
age 24
10 Musab Al Juwayr
Musab Al Juwayr
age 22
10 Salem Al Dawsari
Salem Al Dawsari
age 34
12 Mohammed Abu Al Shamat
Mohammed Abu Al Shamat
age 23
15 Abdullah Al Khaibari
Abdullah Al Khaibari
age 29
16 Murad Al Hawsawi
Murad Al Hawsawi
age 24
18 Waheb Saleh
Waheb Saleh
age 23
19 Turki Al Ammar
Turki Al Ammar
age 26
20 Mohammed Al-Majhad
Mohammed Al-Majhad
age 27
23 Mohamed Kanno
Mohamed Kanno
age 31
23 Mohammed Mater Mohsin Mahzari
Mohammed Mater Mohsin Mahzari
age 23
Attackers · 9
7 A. S. Al Aliwa
A. S. Al Aliwa
age 21
8 Ayman Yahya
Ayman Yahya
age 24
9 Feras Al Brikan
Feras Al Brikan
age 25
11 Saleh Al Shehri
Saleh Al Shehri
age 32
16 Khalid Al Ghannam
Khalid Al Ghannam
age 25
19 Abdullah Al Hamdan
Abdullah Al Hamdan
age 26
20 Abdulrahman Al Obud
Abdulrahman Al Obud
age 30
20 Marwan Al Sahafi
Marwan Al Sahafi
age 21
Sultan Mandash
Sultan Mandash
age 31
Squad data via API-Football · subject to change ahead of tournament

📅 Group H Fixtures Saudi Arabia · 3 matches

Saudi Arabia's group-stage fixtures will appear here as match details are confirmed. They play three Group H matches across the opening 12 days of the tournament.

🤝 Group H Rivals