FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 : It might be easy to write off Saudi Arabia at FIFA World Cup 2022 but with a few famous upsets in the past, no team would consider the Green Falcons as mere pushovers in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia will be the second-lowest ranked team in Qatar and will bring with them a poor track record at the event. They have only made it out of the group stage once in six World Cup appearances.
The crowning glory came in their debut at the 1994 edition in USA where they collected two wins. Since then, Saudi Arabia only managed one win in four tournaments - a 2-1 victory over Egypt in 2018.
And their chances of reaching the knockout stage in Qatar look slimmer after factoring in a tough Group C with 2021 Copa America champions Argentina, Mexico and Poland.
Saudi Arabia had a strong World Cup qualifying campaign under the managerial reins of Herve Renard. They edged out Japan to finish top of Asia's Group B with seven wins in 10 games.
The Green Falcons also pulled off respectable goalless draws against Ecuador and USA in September's friendlies.
Neutrals may be hard-pressed to find a recognisable name in Saudi's squad as it is filled with players from the domestic Saudi Professional League.
Rising star Firas Al-Buraikan is expected to provide the firepower for Saudi Arabia, but veterans Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Al-Shehri are not to be overlooked too.
Saudi Arabia are in Group C alongside South American champions Argentina, Poland and Mexico.
The Arab team have played 16 games at the FIFA World Cup out of which they have won only 3 while losing 11 of them.
Mohamed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mohamed Al-Yami
Yasser Al-Shahrani, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Abdullah Madu, Hassan Tambakti, Sultan Al-Ghanam, Mohammed Al-Breik, Saud Abdulhamid
Salman Al-Faraj, Riyadh Sharahili, Ali Al-Hassan, Mohamed Kanno, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Sami Al-Najei, Abdullah Otayf, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Salem Al-Dawsari, Hattan Bahebri
Fahad Al-Muwallad, Haitham Asiri, Saleh Al-Shehri, Firas Al-Buraikan
Saudi Arabia vs Argentina - 22nd Nov; 3.30 PM IST – Lusail Stadium
Saudi Arabia vs Poland - 26th Nov; 6:30 PM IST – Education City Stadium
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico – 1st Dec; 12.30 AM IST- Lusail Stadium
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Fifa WC 2022 will be live streamed on VOOT Select and JioTV
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