FIFA U-17 World Cup
A runners-up finish to Uzbekistan in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 propelled the West Asian side back into a tournament in which they are the only Asian side to have lifted the title - having won the competition in 1989.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 3
Best finish: Champions (1989)
2023 record: Did not qualify
How they got there: AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 runners-up
Head coach: Abdulwahab Alharbi
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia’s last appearance in the Finals was when they won the title in 1989.
Group L Fixtures: v Austria (Nov 5), New Zealand (Nov 8), Mali (Nov 11)
Previous appearances: 3
Best finish: Champions (1989)
2023 record: Did not qualify
How they got there: AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 runners-up
Head coach: Abdulwahab Alharbi
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia’s last appearance in the Finals was when they won the title in 1989.
Group L Fixtures: v Austria (Nov 5), New Zealand (Nov 8), Mali (Nov 11)
Head coach Abdulwahab Alharbi has kept the core of the side that flourished on home soil in April - with the powerful Abdulhadi Matari in attack, the playmaking skills of Abdulrahman Sufyani and the pace of Sabri Dahal on the flanks expected to lead their charge.
Midfield powerhouse Abdulaziz Alfawaz - whose all-action display in attack and defence - will also determine how far Saudi Arabia can go in this tournament.
Midfield powerhouse Abdulaziz Alfawaz - whose all-action display in attack and defence - will also determine how far Saudi Arabia can go in this tournament.
Saudi Arabia begin their campaign against Austria who, despite qualifying as one of the best second-placed teams in UEFA European Under-17 Championship Qualifiers, will be no pushovers.
New Zealand, who emerged OFC U-16 Championship winners, will be their next opponents on November 8 and they are spearheaded by Aaron Cartwright who - at 16 - is already part of the Melbourne City FC squad in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26.
Completing their group stage against arguably the toughest opponent, Saudi Arabia will need to have points in the bag prior to the meeting with Mali, who are bolstered by Bayer Leverkusen-bound winger Raymond Bomba.
New Zealand, who emerged OFC U-16 Championship winners, will be their next opponents on November 8 and they are spearheaded by Aaron Cartwright who - at 16 - is already part of the Melbourne City FC squad in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26.
Completing their group stage against arguably the toughest opponent, Saudi Arabia will need to have points in the bag prior to the meeting with Mali, who are bolstered by Bayer Leverkusen-bound winger Raymond Bomba.
