Saudi Arabia national team head coach Geogios Donis has confirmed his 30-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 28 players based in the Roshn Saudi League.
The former Al Hilal, Al Fateh, Al Wehda and Al Khaleej manager addressed the public in a press conference in Riyadh on Saturday, where he was joined by Under-17 national team captain Ali Al Yahya. Al Yahya was asked to announce the squad, a gesture reiterating Donis’ faith in youth as the future of Saudi football.
"It is better to look at the forest, not the tree," said Donis, warning against expecting "miracles" such as the win against eventual world champions Argentina back in Qatar 2022, but rather to focus on progress and a positive campaign in North America.
"I want to see my team from the first game very organised, very disciplined, to show our ambition and then to see what happens."
The squad saw a first inclusion for NEOM Sports Club winger Alaa Al Hajji. The 30-year-old travels to the World Cup as the only uncapped player among those named having made 24 appearances for the RSL new boys following a summer move from Al Wehda. While at the Mecca-based club, Al Hajji had played under Donis.
Alaa Al Hajji celebrates scoring for NEOM SC
A day after becoming the first Saudi to win silverware in a European domestic competition, Saud Abdulhamid, Coupe de France winner with RC Lens, is the only player playing his football abroad to be included in the squad.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais is the only inclusion from the First Division League, with his club, Al Ula, set to compete in the play-off final against Diriyah later on Saturday.
Below is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al Owais (Al Ula) Nawaf Al Aqidi (Al Nassr), Ahmed Al Kassar (Al Qadsiah), Abdulqudus Attiah (Al Taawoun)
Defenders: Abdulelah Al Amri (Al Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al Hilal), Jehad Thikri (Al Qadsiah), Ali Lajami (Al Hilal), Hassan Kadesh (Al Ittihad), Saud Abdulhamid (RC Lens), Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (Al Qadsiah), Ali Majrashi (Al Ahli), Moteb Al Harbi (Al Hilal), Nawaf Boushal (Al Nassr), Zakaria Hawsawi (Al Ahli).
Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno (Al Hilal), Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al Nassr), Ziyad Al Johani (Al Ahli), Nasser Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Musab Al Juwayr (Al Qadsiah), Alaa Al Hajji (NEOM SC), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Khalid Al Ghannam (Al Ettifaq), Ayman Yahya (Al Nassr), Sultan Mandash (Al Hilal), Saleh Abu Al Shamat (Al Ahli).
Forwards: Feras Al Buraikan (Al Ahli), Abdullah Al Salem (Al Qadsiah), Saleh Al Shehri (Al Ittihad), Abdullah Al Hamdan (Al Nassr).
The Green Falcons start their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Ecuador at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Arena on May 30, before heading to their permanent base in Austin, Texas, where they take on Puerto Rico on June 5.
The preparations conclude with the encounter against Senegal, who could feature RSL trio Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and recently crowned Saudi champion Sadio Mane, in San Antonio on June 9.
Saudi Arabia have been placed in Group H for the World Cup, where the journey begins on June 15 against Uruguay in Miami, before they face Spain six days later at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The final group stage game sees Donis’ men take on debutants Cape Verde at the NRG Stadium in Houston, on June 26.
