Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses of the Saudi National Team Before the World Cup

The Saudi national team has entered the final stage of its preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with high hopes of delivering a remarkable performance that recalls the historic achievements recorded by the Green Falcons in the global tournament.

The Saudi national team is competing in Group H, where they face a challenging journey starting with a match against Uruguay, followed by a game against Spain, before concluding the first round with a match against Cape Verde.

The team relies on a group of experienced players who have accumulated previous World Cup experiences, led by captain Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohamed Kanno, and Mohamed Al-Owais, in addition to benefiting from the increased level of competition in the Saudi Pro League.

The presence of Saud Abdulhamid, who has international professional experience, provides the coaching staff with additional tactical options, particularly in defensive aspects and quick transitions between lines.

The harmony among a large number of players is considered one of the main strengths, as the team relies on players who regularly play together in major clubs, which is reflected in the understanding and organization on the field.

The team also possesses impressive offensive capabilities thanks to the individual skills of some of its stars, in addition to the ability to execute high pressure and disrupt opponents in their defensive areas.

On the other hand, defensive errors remain a concern for the fans, especially with the reliance on pushing the backline forward, leaving spaces that could be exploited by fast teams and those with high offensive efficiency.

The team also faces another challenge in the form of technical instability during the past period, following multiple changes at the coaching level before settling on the Greek coach Georgios Donis.

The issue of goalkeeping remains a contentious topic before the start of the tournament, with the competition between Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, and Ahmed Al-Kassar to secure a starting spot in the lineup.

The team heavily relies on Salem Al-Dawsari's impact in making an offensive difference, making the maintenance of his technical and physical readiness a crucial element in the national team's efforts to achieve positive results.

Despite the technical and physical challenges facing the Saudi national team against opponents with significant experience, the Green Falcons possess the capabilities and elements that qualify them to deliver strong performances if they succeed in leveraging their strengths and minimizing their defensive errors.

Saudi fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the World Cup, hoping to see their national team compete strongly and write a new chapter in its World Cup history, relying on ambition, experience, and the spirit of challenge that characterizes this generation.