KSA
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP H · POT 3

Saudi Arabia
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Georgios Donis · Greek head coach since 2025. Former PAOK and Panathinaikos manager with Greece national team experience. Defensive 4-2-3-1 specialist.
MD1 Jun 15 vs Uruguay MD2 Jun 21 vs Spain MD3 Jun 26 vs Cape Verde
6th World Cup appearance · best finish: Round of 16 (1994)
26
Squad size
28.0
Avg. age
1 / 26
Overseas-based
11 / 15
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Georgios Donis's (Greek) Saudi Arabia announced their final 26 on May 31 (trimmed from 30). This is Saudi's third consecutive World Cup (7th overall) — and a milestone tournament for the 2034 World Cup hosts. The 2022 Argentina upset still echoes through the squad.

Spine: captain Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal, the 2022 Argentina-winning goalscorer) + Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Ahli) + Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal, 75 caps). A Saudi Pro League-heavy squad with only Saud Abdulhamid (Lens) currently playing in Europe.

Group H opponents: Uruguay, Spain, Cape Verde. June 15 vs URU (New York New Jersey Stadium) → June 21 vs ESP (Atlanta) → June 26 vs CPV (NRG). The target: surpassing the 1994 USA Round of 16 berth.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-2-3-1.

Donis's preferred 4-2-3-1. Al-Buraikan (Al-Ahli) at No.9, captain Al-Dawsari (the 2022 Argentina hero) left, Yahya right. Kanno + Al-Khaibari as the double pivot. Al-Tambakti + Al-Amri at CB. Abdulhamid (Lens) and Boushal at full-back.

4-2-3-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

10
LW · FW
Salem Al-Dawsari
Al-Hilal · 34
108 caps · 26G WC: 2018, 2022
Captain & 2022 Argentina winner
CAPTAIN
9
ST · FW
Firas Al-Buraikan
Al-Ahli · 26
69 caps · 15G WC: 2022
Striking ace
ACE
12
RB · DF
Saud Abdulhamid
Lens · 26 · Ligue 1
53 caps · 1G WC: 2022
Ligue 1 full-back
21
GK · GK
Mohammed Al-Owais
Al-Ula · 34
63 caps · 0G WC: 2018, 2022
Veteran No.1
23
CDM · MF
Mohamed Kanno
Al-Hilal · 31
75 caps · 8G WC: 2018, 2022
Midfield linchpin (multi AFC titles)
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 10
MF MIDFIELDERS 6
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP H

GROUP H.

ESP
Spain
POT 1
CPV
Cape Verde
POT 2
KSA
Saudi Arabia
POT 3
URU
Uruguay
POT 4
Mon, Jun 15
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia
New York New Jersey Stadium · East Rutherford, NJ
Saudi's third consecutive World Cup (7th overall) opens at New York New Jersey Stadium vs Uruguay (Núñez, Valverde). After the 2022 Argentina upset, another giant-kill is the dream.
View lineups →
MD1
Sun, Jun 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, GA
Atlanta clash vs European champions Spain (Yamal, Pedri). Donis's low-block defending against Pot 1 quality.
View lineups →
MD2
Fri, Jun 26
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
Houston Stadium · Houston, TX
Group decider vs debutants Cape Verde. Al-Dawsari and Al-Buraikan must secure three points.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Winners Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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