FIFA World Cup
Having survived a tough qualifying campaign to book their ticket to global showpiece to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, Saudi Arabia will be determined to maximise the strength of their squad and lessons learnt from four years ago.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 61
Previous appearances: 6
First appearance: 1994
2022 record: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Group B winners
Group H fixtures - June 15: v Uruguay; June 21: v Spain; June 26: v Cabo Verde
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia will be making a third consecutive appearance at the Finals
FIFA Ranking: 61
Previous appearances: 6
First appearance: 1994
2022 record: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Group B winners
Group H fixtures - June 15: v Uruguay; June 21: v Spain; June 26: v Cabo Verde
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia will be making a third consecutive appearance at the Finals
Saudi Arabia's hopes rest on the shoulders of 56-year-old former Greece international Georgios Donis, who took over from Herve Renard in April.
Donis has vast coaching experience in the country. Most recently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Khaleej, he has also helmed local sides Al Hilal SFC, Al Fateh and Al Wehda in what is approaching a decade of involvement in Saudi football.
That affords the German-born tactician an intimate knowledge of a player pool that will be predominantly drawn from the local league.
Donis has vast coaching experience in the country. Most recently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Khaleej, he has also helmed local sides Al Hilal SFC, Al Fateh and Al Wehda in what is approaching a decade of involvement in Saudi football.
That affords the German-born tactician an intimate knowledge of a player pool that will be predominantly drawn from the local league.
Donis' first match in charge was a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in a friendly on Sunday and the tactician will have two more opportunities to gauge his squad as Saudi Arabia will face Puerto Rico and Senegal ahead of the FIFA World Cup kick-off.
While Saudi Arabia only booked their ticket through the fourth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26, Donis has a squad capable of rising to the occasion.
That was shown in the stunning 2-1 win against eventual champions Argentina in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match which, unfortunately, did not lead to advancing past the group stage following subsequent defeats to Poland and Mexico.
While Saudi Arabia only booked their ticket through the fourth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26, Donis has a squad capable of rising to the occasion.
That was shown in the stunning 2-1 win against eventual champions Argentina in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match which, unfortunately, did not lead to advancing past the group stage following subsequent defeats to Poland and Mexico.
In fact, Saudi Arabia's only appearance in the knockout stage was when they made their debut in 1994 and they will be determined to advance despite being drawn in a tough Group H.
In Salem Al Dawsari, they have a player who thrives on big occasions and with the Saudi Pro League having benefitted with the influx of top quality foreign stars, Donis will believe a place in the Round of 32 is within reach for Saudi Arabia.
Sources: FIFA, AFC, AFP
In Salem Al Dawsari, they have a player who thrives on big occasions and with the Saudi Pro League having benefitted with the influx of top quality foreign stars, Donis will believe a place in the Round of 32 is within reach for Saudi Arabia.
Sources: FIFA, AFC, AFP
