Nation: Saudi Arabia
FIFA ranking: 51st
World Cup achievements: Round of 16 (1994)

Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:

Saudi Arabia sealed their spot in Qatar by qualifying from an Asian qualifying group which featured Japan, Australia, Oman, China and Vietnam.

They finished top of the group and picked up some notable results, beating Japan and Australia 1-0 at home, while they also drew in Sydney against the Socceroos.

Saudi Arabia will be making their sixth appearance at the World Cup since making their debut in 1994, when they reached the last 16 in the USA.

They have failed to reach those heights since, exiting at the group stage in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Saudi Arabia then failed to qualify in 2010 and 2014 before returning to the competition in Russia four years ago, where they were knocked out at the group stage once again.

Group C

Fixtures & results

Most recent squad

Route to final

Insight

Following a disappointing exit at the World Cup in 2018 and an early exit at the 2019 Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia set about an overhaul of their squad as they looked ahead to future tournaments.

Frenchman Herve Renard, who guided Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations triumphs, was tasked with the rebuilding project, and the move paid dividends.

Integrating established players such as Salem Al-Dawsari and Salman Al Faraj with young talent in the form of Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdulelah Al-Amri and Sami Al-Najei had an immediate impact as they secured an early spot at Qatar, registering just one defeat in their successful qualification campaign.

However, this squad faces a huge test in Qatar as they join Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

Renard will be looking to build on their one victory at the tournament in Russia four years ago as they look to secure a last-16 spot for the first time since 1994.

Player to watch

Name: Salem Al-Dawsari
Position: Winger
Club: Al-Hilal
Age: 31

Salem Al-Dawsari is a player with World Cup pedigree.

The Al-Hilal winger featured in all three of Saudi Arabia’s group games in Russia and hit his country’s last-gasp winner in their final match at the tournament against Egypt.

He has bundles of experience with 66 caps to his name and 17 goals during an international career which has spanned over 10 years.

He’s been an influential figure at club level as well. Last season in the Saudi League, he contributed to 14 goals in just 21 games, scoring nine and producing five assists.

Al-Dawsari, who did have a stint with La Liga side Villarreal in 2018, can lay in numerous positions across the front line.

He remains a pivotal figure for Saudi Arabia and he will need to be at his best if the Green Falcons are to mark any sort of impact in Qatar.

Where will Saudi Arabia stay?

Sealine Beach a Murwab Resort

Qatar stadiums

Qualification in pictures