Saudi Arabia national football team: players, coach, FIFA world rankings, trophies

Saudi Arabia national football team: players, coach, FIFA world rankings, trophies

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM

Saudi Arabia's national football team is an Asian soccer team dedicated to representing Saudi Arabia in men's soccer. It is a team renowned for being one of the most successful Asian teams, having won the Asian Cup three times; 1984, 1988, and 1996. Additionally, they have qualified for the World Cup competitions six times; 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022.

Saudi Arabia's national football team
The Green Falcons react after midfielder Salman Al-Faraj scored from the penalty spot during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match in Volgograd on June 25, 2018. Photo: (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Saudi became the first AFC member to reach the final of a senior FIFA competition in 1992 when it won the King Fahd Cup. Does Saudi Arabia's national football team have a nickname? Like other soccer squads, the team does have a nickname. The players are often dubbed The Green Falcons, The Greens, or Arabian Falcons.

Have a look at this article to find more information about the Saudi Arabia national football team's roster, captain, coach, and more.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Saudi Arabia national football team
  • Nickname: The Green, The Green Falcons, Arabian Falcons
  • Managed by: Saudi Arabian Football Federation
  • Founded: 1956
  • Colours: Green and white.
  • Confederation: AFC (Asia)
  • Head coach: Herve Renard
  • Captain: Salman Al-Faraj
  • Most caps: Mohamed Al-Deayea (178)
  • Top scorer: Majed Abdullah (72)
  • FIFA ranking: 49 as of 31 March 2022
  • Regional ranking: 5 (AFC)
  • Stadium: King Fahd International Stadium
  • FIFA code: KSA

Yes, football is the most popular sport in the Asian country, as it is in the rest of the world . The sport has gained prominence in recent years, and several Saudi players now compete in Europe. The Saudi Football Federation is in charge of the Saudi Arabian national football team. In addition, the Saudi Football Federation oversees the Saudi leagues and the Arabian Cup.

Saudi Arabia national football team
The Green Falcons celebrate their winning goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match against Egypt, at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, on June 25, 2018. Photo: Mark Ralston
Source: Getty Images

Who is the Saudi Arabia national football team coach?

Herve Renard is a French football coach and former professional player who is currently the team's manager.

Herve Renard's profile summary

  • Full name: Herve Renard
  • Date of birth: 30 September 1968
  • Age: 54 as of 2022
  • Place of birth: Aix-les-Bains, France
  • Nationality: Angolan-French
  • Height in centimetres: 184
  • Current team: Saudi Arabia national football team

Who is Saudi Arabia's national football team's captain? Aside from the coach, the captain, who is generally older or more competent than the other players, is an essential team member.

Salman's profile summary

  • Full name: Salman Al-Faraj
  • Date of birth: 1 August 1989
  • Age: 33 years old (as of 2022)
  • Place of birth: Medina, Saudi Arabia
  • Height in centimetres: 179
  • Current team: Al Hilal SFC, Saudi Arabia national football club
  • Position: Central midfielder
  • Number: 7

Has Saudi Arabia's national football team ever played in the World Cup?

The Green Falcons made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1994 in the round of 16 and took the 12th position. They then qualified again in 1998, 2002, and 2018 but failed to take the cup home.

Has Saudi Arabia's national football team ever participated in the World Cup?
The Green's fans celebrate the team's win in the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match against Egypt at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, on June 25, 2018. Photo: Philippe Desmazes
Source: Getty Images

And since taking the cup home is the dream of any soccer player and fan, The Green Falcons have never stepped back as they qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup competitions. Even though Herve Renard's team has not yet taken the World Cup home, it has had the taste of victory in other competitions like the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA Arab Cup.

Has Saudi Arabia's national football team ever won any trophies?

Yes, the team has won several trophies since they debuted on the soccer scene.

  • AFC Asian Cup - (1984, 1988, 1996)
  • Arabian Gulf Cup - (1994, 2002, 2003)
  • Arab Cup - (1998, 2002)
  • 2005 Islamic Solidarity Games - Gold Medalists

When will the final Saudi Arabia 2022 World Cup squad be announced?

In November and December 2022, the World Cup will take place. Because of Qatar's high summer heat, the competition was shifted from its typical June and July time. The deadline for announcing World Cup teams is October 20th, 30 days before the tournament begins.

Who are Saudi Arabia's national football team players?

The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against China and Australia.

Goalkeepers

  • Amin Bukhari (Al-Nassr)
  • Mohammed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal)
  • Fawaz Al-Qarni (Al-Shabab)
  • Mohammed Al Rubaie (Al-Ahli)

Defenders

  • Hassan Tambakti (Al-Shabab)
  • Abdullah Madu (Al-Nassr)
  • Ahmed Sharahili (Al-Shabab)
  • Ziyad Al-Sahafi (Al-Ittihad)
  • Mohammed Al-Breik (Al-Hilal)
  • Saud Abdulhamid (Al-Hilal)
  • Yasser Al-Shahrani (Al-Hilal)
  • Abdulelah Al-Amri (Al-Nassr)
  • Moteb Al-Harbi (Al-Shabab)
Saudi Arabia national football team players
Saudi's Salman celebrates with Mohannad after Salem scored during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match against Egypt, in Volgograd, on June 25, 2018. Photo: Philippe Desmazes
Source: Getty Images

Midfielders

  • Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal)
  • Hattan Bahebri (Al-Shabab)
  • Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal)
  • Ali Al-Hassan (Al-Nassr)
  • Sami Al-Najei (Al-Nassr)
  • Khalid Al-Ghannam (Al-Nassr)
  • Abdulrahman Ghareeb (Al-Ahli)
  • Abdulrahman Al-Aboud (Al-Ittihad)
  • Abdulaziz Al-Bishi (Al-Ittihad)
  • Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal)
  • Fahad Al-Muwallad (Al-Ittihad)

Forwards

  • Firas al-Buraikan (Al-Fateh)
  • Saleh Al-Shehri (Al-Hilal)
  • Abdullah Al-Hamdan (Al-Hilal)

Saudi Arabia national football team: world rankings

What is Saudi Arabia's national football team's ranking? According to the latest FIFA ranking, The Green Falcons sit at position 49 with 1444.69 points, just after Romania, which has 1446.54 points. The club's highest FIFA ranking was position 21 in 2004, while its lowest was position 126 in 2012.

Although some fans are beginning to lose hope of seeing the Saudi Arabia national football team win the World Cup, some of the club's diehards have remained optimistic that the dream will soon come to pass.

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Sportsbrief.com has recently compiled a list of Bafana Bafana coaches. Well, in as much as players are the vital part of any soccer club, coaches are crucial and they determine the team's victory as well. Since 1992, The South African Men's national football team has recruited several coaches. However, only one of the recruited coaches has led them to AFCON glory.

This article gives you more information about the coaches, including details about their careers and personal lives. Read more here!

Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.