Saudi Arabia have one of the best national football teams in Asia , and they arrive at the 2026 World Cup carrying one of the most famous moments in the tournament’s recent history.
At Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 in one of the greatest upsets the competition has ever produced, shocking a nation that was the reigning Copa América holders and considered among the pre-tournament favourites.
They went on to reach the knockout rounds before being eliminated by Poland, ending their campaign in the round of 16 — their deepest run since finishing third at their debut appearance in 1994.
Under Greek coach Georgios Donis, the Green Falcons qualified for North America through the AFC qualifying process, eventually securing their spot via the fourth round after finishing third in a demanding third-round group containing Japan and Australia.
They are drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde, opening against Uruguay in Miami on June 15.
Every outfield player in the 26-man squad plays their club football in the Saudi Pro League, making Saudi Arabia one of the most domestically-concentrated squads at the entire tournament — with one notable exception in Saud Abdulhamid of RC Lens.
Here are the 10 best soccer players in Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Salem Al-Dawsari — Forward (Captain)
Age: 34 | Club: Al-Hilal
The most iconic player in Saudi Arabian football history and the man who scored that goal against Argentina.
Al-Dawsari’s curling strike in the 53rd minute at Qatar 2022 to complete Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 comeback win against the reigning world champions is one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history, and the image of him celebrating in front of the Saudi bench is one that football fans will never forget.
He has 111 caps and 27 international goals and has spent virtually his entire career at Al-Hilal, where he is also the club captain alongside playing under Simone Inzaghi, the former Inter Milan manager.
According to Goal , he now has three World Cup goals to his name and arrives at this tournament as the most experienced and celebrated player in the squad by a considerable distance.
At 34, Saudi Arabia’s chances of a positive World Cup rest heavily on his ability to produce match-winning moments one more time.
2. Firas Al-Buraikan — Forward
Age: 26 | Club: Al-Ahli
Saudi Arabia’s most prolific active striker and the player who leads the line in Donis’s attacking setup alongside Al-Dawsari.
Al-Buraikan was already featured in the 2022 World Cup article on this blog as a 22-year-old exciting talent, and he has delivered on every bit of that promise since then.
He has 72 caps and 16 international goals and was the most consistent Saudi scorer throughout the AFC qualifying process, finishing as the team’s leading goalscorer across the campaign.
He is physically strong, excellent in the air, and capable of holding the ball up before turning and finishing inside the box with real conviction.
At 26, he is in the prime years of his career and gives Saudi Arabia their most reliable goal threat in the penalty area.
3. Abdulelah Al-Amri — Defender
Age: 29 | Club: Al-Nassr
One of Saudi Arabia’s most experienced and reliable centre-backs and a player who has been a consistent presence in the national team backline since making his debut in 2021.
Al-Amri played eight of nine World Cup qualifiers ahead of Qatar 2022, helping the Green Falcons keep five clean sheets in the process, and has continued to develop and improve in the years since.
He has 44 caps and brings the kind of aerial ability and composure in one-on-one duels that Saudi Arabia’s defense needs when facing the best forwards in the world.
His partnership with Hassan Al-Tambakti at the back gives Saudi Arabia a reliable and well-organized central defensive unit.
4. Mohammed Kanno — Midfielder
Age: 31 | Club: Al-Hilal
The defensive anchor of Saudi Arabia’s midfield and one of the most important players in the squad beyond the attacking names.
Kanno has 79 caps and 8 international goals from central midfield, which is a remarkable return for someone playing in a primarily defensive role, and brings the physical intensity, ball-winning quality, and composure in possession that the Saudi midfield demands.
He is the player who protects the defence and provides the platform for Al-Dawsari and the forwards ahead of him to operate with freedom and confidence.
Without Kanno at his best, Saudi Arabia become a far more exposed and vulnerable team.
5. Saud Abdulhamid — Defender
Age: 26 | Club: RC Lens (France)
The only Saudi Arabia player competing outside the domestic league and the most European-experienced defender in the entire squad.
Abdulhamid joined RC Lens on loan from Roma and has been one of the most impressive right-backs in Ligue 1, combining defensive solidity with a real and consistent attacking threat going forward.
He has 55 caps and brings a level of European club-standard performance that raises the quality of Saudi Arabia’s backline significantly ahead of what is available domestically.
His experience of facing high-quality attackers week in, week out in France makes him the best-prepared Saudi defender for the challenges that Group H will bring.
6. Hassan Al-Tambakti — Defender
Age: 27 | Club: Al-Hilal
Saudi Arabia’s most consistent and reliable centre-back and the defensive leader who keeps the backline organised and compact.
Al-Tambakti has 54 caps and has been a first-choice starter in the Saudi backline throughout the qualifying campaign and during Donis’s entire tenure as coach.
He is composed under pressure, strong in the air, and reads the game with the intelligence that comes from years of experience in the Saudi Pro League alongside some of the world’s best players at Al-Hilal.
7. Saleh Al-Shehri — Forward
Age: 32 | Club: Al-Ittihad
One of Saudi Arabia’s most experienced and celebrated forward options and the man who scored the opening goal in the famous 2-1 win over Argentina at Qatar 2022.
Al-Shehri has 59 caps and 17 international goals and brings a clinical finishing instinct from the inside left channel that has made him one of the most consistent scorers in Saudi football across a long and decorated international career.
His World Cup goal against Argentina is one of the most celebrated in the nation’s sporting history, and he brings that same desire to deliver in the biggest moments to this squad in North America.
8. Abdullah Al-Hamdan — Forward
Age: 26 | Club: Al-Nassr
One of Saudi Arabia’s most prolific and dangerous forwards and a player who gives Donis real attacking options beyond the veteran experience of Al-Buraikan.
Al-Hamdan has 52 caps and 13 international goals and brings pace, directness, and a finishing instinct that makes him a constant danger when he runs in behind defensive lines.
His goal return at international level is one of the best in the squad and his movement and energy give Saudi Arabia an additional attacking dimension in the final third.
9. Musab Al-Juwayr — Midfielder
Age: 22 | Club: Al-Qadsiah
One of the most exciting young midfielders in Saudi football and a player whose development under Donis has been genuinely impressive.
Al-Juwayr has 37 caps and 6 international goals at just 22 years old, a remarkable return for someone playing in a wide midfield role, and brings pace, directness, and a real goal threat from the right side that gives Saudi Arabia an attacking dimension that goes well beyond the veteran experience of Al-Dawsari.
At 22, he is one of the youngest key players at the tournament and gives Saudi Arabia something unpredictable and energetic in their attack.
10. Abdullah Al-Khaibari — Midfielder
Age: 29 | Club: Al-Nassr
A composed and dependable central midfielder who has been a consistent performer for Saudi Arabia under multiple coaches across many years.
Al-Khaibari has 42 caps and brings the tactical discipline and work rate that Kanno needs alongside him to maintain Saudi Arabia’s midfield structure across 90 minutes at World Cup pace.
His ability to press, recover the ball, and distribute cleanly under pressure makes him one of the most reliable and unflashy squad contributors in Donis’s setup.
There are plenty more talented Saudi players worth noting, so honorable mentions go to Hassan Al-Tambakti , Nasser Al-Dawsari , and Nawaf Al-Aqidi , who is expected to start in goal after Mohammed Al-Owais moved to Al-Ula.
Can Saudi Arabia Repeat the Miracle?
Saudi Arabia shocked the world at Qatar 2022 when they beat Argentina and reached the round of 16.
Group H with Spain and Uruguay is as tough a draw as they could have received, and replicating that run will require something genuinely special.
But Salem Al-Dawsari has already shown once that he can produce exactly that kind of magic on the world stage, and he is still the most dangerous match-winner in Asian football when he is at his best.
The Green Falcons are organized, experienced, and led by one of the most iconic players in the history of the continent.
They will not go quietly.
Check out more on the best football national teams in Asia , the greatest Asian players in World Cup history , the best strikers in world football , and every country that has won the World Cup .
Who do you think will be Saudi Arabia’s best player at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments!
