Meet the Green Falcons: Key Saudi Players on the Field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a defining moment for the Green Falcons. Drawn into Group H alongside Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde, the national team arrives with a squad that reflects both experience and transition. Led by head coach Giorgos Donis, the official 26-man roster brings together veteran leaders, established Saudi Pro League stars, and a new generation of players preparing to prove themselves on the world stage. From those who carry the memory of past tournaments to younger names shaping the team’s future, these eight players stand out as the spine of Saudi Arabia’s campaign.

Together, they offer a clear picture of how the Green Falcons plan to compete, adapt, and make their mark in 2026.

Salem Al-Dawsari

Salem Al-Dawsari is the captain, the undisputed superstar, and the ultimate talisman of the Saudi Arabia national team. Playing primarily as a left winger, he is widely recognized as one of the most skilled and decorated football players in the history of Asian football.

Al-Dawsari is a true icon of Saudi club football. He graduated from the youth academy of Al-Hilal and has spent the entirety of his senior club career with them. The only exception was a brief, high-profile loan spell in 2018 to Spain's top division (La Liga), where he played for Villarreal and made his official debut against Real Madrid.

Career Achievements

• AFC Player of the Year: Officially crowned as the best player in Asia.
• Al-Hilal Legend: Led his club to numerous Saudi Pro League titles and AFC Champions League crowns.
• World Cup Heroics: Gained global fame by scoring a spectacular, bending winning goal against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup group stage.
• National Team Cornerstone: Serves as the continuous leader and creative spark across multiple AFC Asian Cups and FIFA World Cups.

Saud Abdulhamid

Saud Abdulhamid is a dynamic, highly athletic right-back known for his incredible pace and work rate. He is a modern defender who balances excellent defensive duties with powerful attacking runs down the sideline.

Abdulhamid has played for the biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia, starting his career at Al-Ittihad before moving to Al-Hilal. He then made a major move to Europe, playing for AS Roma in Italy, before transferring to his current club, RC Lens in France.

Career Achievements

• European Pioneer: Made history as the first-ever Saudi Arabian football player to feature in France's top flight (Ligue 1).
• International Breakthrough: Gained global praise and recognition for his standout defensive performances during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• Elite Club Experience: Played across three different major football leagues (Saudi Pro League, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1).

Mohamed Al-Owais

Mohamed Al-Owais is a veteran goalkeeper highly regarded across Asian football for his quick reflexes, aerial presence, and absolute vigilance in goal.

Al-Owais has built an incredible legacy by playing for the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal. He currently plays club football for Al-Ula FC.

Career Achievements

• The Giant of Qatar: Delivered a world-class, match-winning performance against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup to secure one of the biggest upsets in football history.
• Domestic Dominance: Won major trophies and guarded the goal for the top three powerhouse clubs in the country.
• National Team Shield: Remains the go-to goalkeeper for the Green Falcons in high-pressure international tournaments.

Firas Al-Buraikan

Expected to lead the line for new manager Georgios Donis, the Al Ahli forward is no stranger to the national set-up, featuring in the starting XI for the historic win against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. But his role will be different this time around, likely shifting from out wide to play as a No.9 at the point of the attack.

Now 26, Firas Al-Buraikan scored the winning goal in the recent AFC Champions League Elite final against Japan’s Machida Zelvia to secure back-to-back continental crowns. Crucially, he has a strong history under Donis, having previously scored 17 goals during the 2022-23 Roshn Saudi League season when they worked together at Al Fateh.

Career Achievements

• Primary Attacking Threat: Established himself as the leading goalscorer for the Green Falcons during their World Cup qualification campaigns.
• International Experience: Features as a critical squad leader, bringing nearly 70 international caps to the team at just 26 years old.
• Continental Match-Winner: Fired Al Ahli to absolute continental glory by scoring the decisive goal in the AFC Champions League Elite final.

Mohamed Kanno

Mohamed Kanno is widely regarded as one of the finest box-to-box midfielders in Saudi Arabian football history. Standing at 1.91 meters, the veteran Al-Hilal SFC star instantly commands the center of the pitch, perfectly blending raw physical power with remarkable elegance on the ball. He is a player built for the grandest stages, known for his unique ability to win headers and disrupt elite opposition before smoothly carrying or passing his way through tight spaces.

Kanno serves as a central pillar for Al-Hilal, where his box-to-box engine and knack for arriving late in the penalty box make him a constant threat. Beyond his defensive and organizational duties, he recently made history by becoming one of the few midfielders ever to reach 30 career goals in the Saudi Professional League, establishing himself as a reliable big-game performer for both club and country.

Career Achievements

• The Midfield Masterclass: Gained massive global fame for his commanding performance during Saudi Arabia’s iconic 2-1 World Cup group-stage upset over Argentina in 2022.
• Trophies Galore with Al-Hilal: Won multiple Saudi Pro League titles, multiple King's Cups, and two AFC Champions League crowns.
• Global Club Showcase: Anchored the midfield during Al-Hilal's historic, high-stakes medal run at the FIFA Club World Cup.
• Elite Goalscoring Milestones: Entered the exclusive history books as one of the rare central midfielders to accumulate 30 domestic goals in the Saudi Pro League.

Musab Al-Juwayr

Musab Al-Juwayr is a 22-year-old central midfielder born in Riyadh. He is widely considered by football scouts to be one of the brightest young talents in Asian football today.

Al-Juwayr began his youth career at Al-Hilal where he made his professional breakthrough. After enjoying a highly successful loan spell at Al-Shabab, he signed a permanent five-year contract with his current club, Al-Qadsiah.

Career Achievements

• Roshn Saudi League Player of the Season: Won the official award for the Best Saudi Player after an incredible 2025/26 season.
• Young Player of the Season: Cleaned up the domestic awards by also winning the league's top young player honor.
• Incredible Statistics: Recorded a stunning 6 goals and 11 assists from midfield during his breakout season.
• International Regular: Successfully entered the Green Falcons' starting midfield lineup as a permanent fixture.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi

Nawaf Al-Aqidi is a talented 26-year-old professional football goalkeeper known for his sharp match-saving abilities, incredible shot-stopping skills, and confidence on the line. At the club level, he shares the pitch with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, a partnership that has sharpened his abilities under the highest scrutiny.

Al-Aqidi is the primary, high-profile goalkeeper for the Saudi Pro League powerhouse club Al-Nassr FC, establishing himself as an elite presence for both club and country.

Career Achievements

• Arab Club Champions League Winner: Guided Al-Nassr to regional silverware by winning the championship title.
• Golden Glove Award: Earned the official Best Goalkeeper award during that same victorious Arab Championship campaign.
• RSL Champion: Anchored the backline to help Al-Nassr secure the domestic league championship trophy.
• AFC U23 Asian Cup Champion: Lifted the major continental trophy as the starting goalkeeper for the Saudi Arabia U23 national team.

Aiman Yahya

Aiman Yahya is an incredibly versatile 25-year-old football player. He is the ultimate tactical tool for a manager because he can play seamlessly as an attacking right winger, a central midfielder, or a defensive left-back.

Yahya developed through the youth ranks at Al-Nassr FC and signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2019.

Career Achievements

• Continental MVP: Named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup, where he led his country to the trophy.
• Tournament Experience: A consistent fixture for the national team across major events, including the Summer Olympics and World Cup qualifiers.
• Tactical Flexibility: Highly praised for his unique ability to switch from defense to attack without losing quality.

Group H World Cup Fixtures

The Green Falcons will play their Group H matches in world-class stadiums across the United States. All match schedules are listed below in Saudi Arabia Standard Time (AST):

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