From Green to Global: How Saudi Arabia's World Cup Dream Powers Roshen and the Pro League

Saudi Arabia clinched a historic World Cup 2026 berth in the United States, Canada, and Mexico after a hard-fought playoff campaign that silenced the doubters. The Green Falcons finished top of the AFC playoff group with 4 points, benefiting from Iraq on the tiebreaker of goals scored following a 0-0 draw at the Al-Inma Stadium.

Qualifying Saves Roshen

These doubts extended beyond the national team to the Saudi Pro League itself, which faced criticism for its impact on local talent as the number of foreign players rose to eight in 2023-24 and then ten last season. Some argued this shift had left domestic players on the bench and eroded the league's balance.

Historically, Saudi Arabia had direct qualifications in 2018 and 2022, and a shift in the league structure had been a live debate. If results had remained negative, changes to the league format—such as reducing foreign players—might have been forced to protect the national side.

But the World Cup 2026 qualification ended those doubts and preserved the current Roshen Pro League framework for now, allowing continued growth and stability for the next cycle.

Between the Big Leagues

Since the revamped Roshen began in 2023-24, questions persisted about whether the league could sit among the world's elite as stars from many clubs arrived in Saudi shores. While opinions differ, the impact of a World Cup qualification on a league's strength and ranking is undeniable.

Looking at the five major leagues—England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France—teams from these divisions frequently reach the World Cup's late stages. Italy's recent absence from the last edition is an exception rather than the rule; since 1958, Italy had not missed the tournament as a regular. This context helps explain why Saudi's presence at the 2026 edition matters for Roshen's standing and the global perception of Middle East football.

With the 2026 World Cup staged in North America, the Saudi national team will inevitably draw more attention to the domestic league, as players rotate through clubs and national duty, and Roshen's reputation grows further.

The Butterfly Effect

Beyond optics, Saudi's World Cup run will give many players rare experience hard to replicate in domestic competition. Young talents such as Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Musab Al-Jawair, Jihad Zakri, and Nawaf Boshel will bring back newfound poise and quality to their clubs, elevating competition and sparking a virtuous circle for the league.

All these factors suggest the Saudi Pro League is the chief winner of Saudi Arabia's World Cup qualification for 2026, possibly altering the balance of power among leagues and pushing Roshen toward elite status in the coming years.

And for a touch of humor to close: if the Roshen league keeps growing, even the goals will need visas. If the ball ever escapes the box, it’ll probably request asylum in a striker’s box—clever footwork, sharper punchlines.