Saudi Arabia announces 26-player World Cup 2026 squad as regional football enters final preparation phase ahead of tournament in North America.
Lead:
Saudi football entered a critical stage as manager Georgios Donis unveiled his final 26-player roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with five players excluded from the previous squad. The announcement came as the national team completed warm-up fixtures and relocated training operations to prepare for group-stage competition alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
Across regional sports, preparations intensified across multiple disciplines. Saudi Arabia's judo team secured five medals at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championship, while camel racing authorities launched the 2026-2027 season schedule with prize pools exceeding 2.5 million riyals. Domestic football witnessed managerial transitions, with Al-Ittifaq announcing the departure of coach Saad Al-Shuhri.
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Saudi Arabia World Cup Squad — Manager Georgios Donis confirmed a 26-player squad for the tournament, excluding notable players including Saleh Abu Al-Shammakh and Al-Hawsawi. Multiple sources including Al Madina and Okaz reported the decision ends weeks of speculation over final selections.Saudi Arabia vs Puerto Rico Friendly — The national team prepared for upcoming World Cup fixtures with a scheduled friendly against Puerto Rico on Saturday at 2:00 AM local time at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Okaz reported Donis opened technical preparations for the match following the Ecuador friendly loss.Saudi Arabia U-21 Tournament Performance — The under-21 squad suffered a 1-0 defeat to China in the Maurice Revello Tournament (Toulon) but remained active in competition, facing Colombia on Tuesday. Al Madina documented the youth team's preparations despite the opening loss.Ibrahim Konate Transfer Interest — Multiple Saudi Professional League clubs expressed interest in signing French defender Ibrahim Konate following his contract expiration with Liverpool. NewsD-SA reported several Roshn League clubs monitoring the 27-year-old's situation.Saudi Referees Preparation — A Saudi Arabian refereeing crew comprising field referee Khaled Al-Turayis, assistant referee Mohammad Al-Obaikri, and VAR official traveled to the United States to begin preparatory programs for World Cup 2026 duties. Al Madina confirmed the delegation's deployment.What to Watch:
Saudi Arabia opens World Cup competition against Uruguay on June 16, 2026, seeking to replicate the nation's 1994 tournament success. Spain's Lamine Yamal, expected to face the Saudi squad, resumed training after recovering from a knee injury, with multiple outlets confirming his availability for tournament participation.