Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Just over three years after shocking the world by defeating eventual champions Argentina in their opening match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team is approaching the 2026 tournament amid mixed results and growing fan anxiety. The Green Falcons are set to begin their campaign against Uruguay in under six months.

Herve Renard, who guided Saudi Arabia during their memorable 2022 campaign, returned as head coach in October 2024. His second tenure has so far struggled to match the excitement of his first. A draw with Australia and a loss to Indonesia marked the early stages of his return, followed by an underwhelming run at the 26th Gulf Cup, where Saudi Arabia reached the semifinals but failed to claim a trophy. The nation has not lifted any major silverware since 2004.

The start of 2025 offered signs of improvement. Wins against China and Bahrain, combined with a draw in Japan, positioned Saudi Arabia one victory away from direct World Cup qualification. However, a defeat to Australia and another disappointing performance at the 2025 Gold Cup in the United States dampened optimism. A narrow win over Indonesia and a draw with Iraq ultimately secured the team’s seventh World Cup qualification.

The 2025 Arab Cup provided another test. Saudi Arabia reached the knockout stages, defeating Palestine in the quarterfinals, but fell to Jordan in the semifinals. The result marked Jordan’s first-ever final in the tournament and intensified criticism of Renard, with calls for his dismissal surfacing. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation denied rumors of any coaching changes, leaving Renard in position for the upcoming World Cup. Should he remain, he will become the first coach to lead Saudi Arabia at two consecutive tournaments.

Fans, however, remain uneasy. Local supporter Ahmed Al-Bawardi told Arab News that concerns extend beyond results. “It’s not so much about the results, but the national team’s identity. We don’t look like a well-oiled team on the pitch, and we don’t feel the same excitement as we did in 2022,” he said. Al-Bawardi and others have highlighted challenges tied to domestic player development, pointing to the limited game time in the Roshn Saudi League compared with Europe’s top competitions.

The rapid expansion of Saudi football, including the influx of foreign players, has complicated the national team’s preparation. TransferMarkt data shows that while 71 percent of Premier League players are foreign, the Roshn Saudi League’s foreign player share stands at 37.5 percent, limiting domestic experience at a high level.

As Saudi Arabia gears up for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, the team faces a challenging group that includes former world champions Spain and Uruguay. With uneven recent performances and questions about team identity and player development, the road to replicating the 2022 magic may prove difficult.