Green Glory: 49 Stars Light the Way for Saudi Arabia to World Cup 2026
15 October 2025
In numbers: 49 stars on the road to the dream
In a historic campaign, the Saudi squad called up 49 players who shared the load across the AFC Asian Qualifiers and the decisive playoff, culminating in a seventh World Cup appearance and the third consecutive qualification after 2018 and 2022.
Forward Firas Al-Brikan led the group with 15 matches and 1123 minutes, followed by captain Salem Al-Dawsari with 14 matches and 1241 minutes. The quartet Hassan Tambakti, Saud Abdul Hamid, and Musab Al-Juwaeir each logged 14 appearances, recording 1187, 973, and 858 minutes respectively.
Nasser Al-Dawsari appeared 12 times (792 minutes), while Hassan Kadash plus Ali Laijami and others reached the double‑digit mark, with minutes ranging from 437 to 824 across the roster. The bench also contributed significantly, with several players featuring in 6–8 matches and a few making single appearances in tighter rotations.
Goalkeeping and defensive depth were tested as the team built a resilient roster capable of handling the pressure of international qualifiers and the high-stakes playoff phase.
18 matches shaped the path to qualification
The journey to 2026 spanned 18 competitive fixtures, producing eight wins, four goalless draws, and four losses. The decisive goal was earned through disciplined play in the final playoff stage, culminating in qualification for the World Cup as a group winner and a strong statement about Saudi Arabia’s consistency on the world stage.
The Green’s campaign demonstrated a balanced approach across attack and defense, embracing steady progress and tactical adaptability in every opponent faced on the road to the global tournament.
22 goals tell the story
Throughout the 18 qualifiers, Saudi Arabia tallied 22 goals, averaging about 1.22 per game, reflecting a stable offensive presence en route to the World Cup 2026. A heavy emphasis on the first half (13 goals) contrasted with a calmer second period (9 goals), including two successful penalties and three missed attempts.
The campaign opened with Saleh Al-Shehri’s sixth-minute strike against Pakistan in 2023 (4-0), a record as the fastest qualifier goal. The journey closed with Firas Al-Brikan finding the net in the 62nd minute against Indonesia, sealing a celebratory finish to what would be a seventh World Cup appearance for Saudi Arabia.
The end of this road marks more than a qualification; it signals a continued ascent for Saudi football on both Asian and global stages.
Punchlines ahead: “If the Green keep this up, their trophy shelf will need a wider door—and possibly a security guard to handle all the celebrations.”
Punchlines ahead: “In football, as in life, the best defenses come with a sense of humor—because even the crossbar can’t argue with good jokes.”
