Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia
 |
Nickname(s) |
The Green Falcons
الصقور الخضر |
Association |
Saudi Arabia Football Federation |
Confederation |
AFC (Asia) |
Head coach |
Jose Peseiro |
Captain |
Hussein Sulaimani |
Most caps |
Mohamed Al-Deayea (181) |
Top scorer |
Majed Abdullah (67) |
Home stadium |
King Fahd International Stadium |
FIFA code |
KSA |
FIFA ranking |
68 |
Highest FIFA ranking |
21 (July 2004) |
Lowest FIFA ranking |
81 (July 2006) |
Elo ranking |
43 |
Highest Elo ranking |
27 (November 1998) |
Lowest Elo ranking |
112 (1970, 1972) |
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First international |
Saudi Arabia 3 - 1 Syria 
(Lebanon; October 20, 1957) |
Biggest win |
Saudi Arabia 8 - 0 Macao 
(Taif, Saudi Arabia; May 14, 1993) |
Biggest defeat |
Egypt 13 - 0 Saudi Arabia .svg.png)
(Casablanca; 3 September 1961)[1] |
World Cup |
Appearances |
4 (First in 1994) |
Best result |
Round of 16, 1994 |
AFC Asian Cup |
Appearances |
7 (First in 1984) |
Best result |
Winners, 1984, 1988, 1996 |
Confederations Cup |
Appearances |
4 (First in 1992) |
Best result |
Runners-up, 1992 |
The Saudi Arabia national football team (Arabic: منتخب السعودية لكرة القدم) (known by its fans as al-Sogour which means "The Falcons" or al-Akhdar which means "The Green") is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation. Considered one of Asia's most successful national teams, Saudi Arabia has won the Asian Cup three times (1984, 1988, and 1996) and qualified for the World Cup four consecutive times ever since debuting at the 1994 tournament.
In the 1994 World Cup, Saudi Arabia upset seeded Belgium and beat Morocco in the group stage before falling to Sweden in the Round of 16. Saudi Arabia was dismissed in the first round of the next three Cup tournaments.
Mohamed Al-Deayea, the team's former goalkeeper, is the world recordholder for the most international appearances by a male football player.
World Cup record
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1930 to 1958 |
Not a FIFA member |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1962 to 1974 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1978 to 1990 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1994 |
Round of 16 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
1998 |
Round 1 |
28 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
2002 |
Round 1 |
32 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
2006 |
Round 1 |
28 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
2010 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
4/19 |
|
13 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
9 |
32 |
- Pos = Position; P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against.
- Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA World Cup History |
Year |
Round |
Score |
Result |
1994 |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 1 – 2 Netherlands |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 2 – 1 Morocco |
Win |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 1 – 0 Belgium |
Win |
Round 2 |
Saudi Arabia 1 – 3 Sweden |
Loss |
1998 |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Denmark |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 4 France |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 2 – 2 South Africa |
Draw |
2002 |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 8 Germany |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Cameroon |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 3 Republic of Ireland |
Loss |
2006 |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 2 – 2 Tunisia |
Draw |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 4 Ukraine |
Loss |
Round 1 |
Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Spain |
Loss |
Total |
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9-32 |
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Asian Cup record
AFC Asian Cup Record |
Year |
Round |
1956 to 1972 |
Did not enter |
1976 |
Withdrew |
1980 |
Did not enter |
1984 |
Champions |
1988 |
Champions |
1992 |
Second place |
1996 |
Champions |
2000 |
Second place |
2004 |
Group stage |
2007 |
Second Place |
2011 |
qualified |
Gulf Cup of Nations Record
King Fahd International Stadium
3 times Champions (1994, 2002, 2003)
- 1970: Third Place
- 1972: Runner Up
- 1974: Runner Up
- 1976: Fifth Place
- 1979: Third Place
- 1982: Fourth Place
- 1984: Third Place
- 1986: Third Place
- 1988: Third Place
- 1990: Withdrew
- 1992: Third Place
- 1994: Champions
- 1996: Third Place
- 1998: Runner Up
- 2002: Champions
- 2003: Champions
- 2004: Round 1
- 2007: Third Place
- 2009: Runner Up
Arab Nations Cup Record
Best result :2times Champions (1998, 2002)
Islamic Solidarity Games Record
Coaches
Manager |
From |
To |
Abdul-Rahman Fawzi |
1957 |
1962 |
Ali Chaouach |
1962 |
1970 |
George Seknas |
1970 |
1972 |
Taha Ismail |
1972 |
1974 |
Abdo Saleh Washash |
1974 |
1974 |
Ferenc Puskás |
1975 |
1975 |
Bill McGarry |
1976 |
1977 |
Danny Allison |
1978 |
1978 |
David Wallit |
1979 |
1979 |
Rubens Minelli |
1980 |
1980 |
Mario Zagallo |
1981 |
1984 |
Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zayani |
1984 |
1984 |
Kosia Tastilo |
1986 |
1986 |
Osvaldo |
1987 |
1987 |
Carlos Galletti |
1988 |
1988 |
Omar Borras |
1988 |
1988 |
Carlos Alberto Parreira |
1988 |
1990 |
Metin Türel |
1990 |
1990 |
Caldinho Garcia |
1992 |
1992 |
Veloso |
1992 |
1992 |
Jose Candido |
1993 |
1993 |
Leo Beenhakker |
1993 |
1994 |
Mohammed Al-Kharashy |
1994 |
1994 |
Ivo Wortmann |
1994 |
1994 |
Jorge Raul Solari |
1994 |
1994 |
Mohammed Al-Kharashy |
1995 |
1995 |
Ze Mario |
1995 |
1996 |
Eduardo Vingada/Nelo Vingada |
1996 |
1997 |
Otto Pfister |
1998 |
1998 |
Carlos Alberto Parreira |
1998 |
1998 |
Mohammed Al-Kharashy |
June 1998 (1 game) |
June 1998 |
Otto Pfister |
1999 |
Feb 1999 |
Milan Máčala |
May 1999 |
2000 |
Nasser Al Johar |
2000 |
2000 |
Slobodan Santrac |
Aug 2001 |
Aug 2001 (2 games before being sacked) |
Nasser Al Johar |
Aug 2001 |
July 2002 |
Gerard van der Lem |
Aug 2002 |
Aug 2004 |
Martin Koopman |
2002 |
2002 *one game only under reign of Van Der Lem |
Nasser Al Johar |
Sep 2004 caretaker role |
Nov 2004 |
Gabriel Calderon |
Nov 2004 |
Dec 2005 |
Marcos Paqueta |
Jan 2006 |
March 2007 |
Helio dos Anjos |
March 2007 |
2008 |
Nasser Al Johar |
June 2008 |
February 2009 |
José Peseiro |
February 2009 |
Present |
Current squad
The following players were called for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on September 5 and 10 2009
0#0 |
Pos. |
Player |
Date of Birth (Age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
1 |
GK |
Waleed Abdullah |
April 19, 1986 |
23 |
0 |
Al-Shabab |
12 |
GK |
Mansour Al-Naje |
July 1, 1978 |
4 |
0 |
Al-Ahli |
2 |
DF |
Majed Al-Marshedi |
November 1, 1984 |
9 |
0 |
Al-Hilal |
3 |
DF |
Redha Tukar |
November 29, 1975 |
98 |
11 |
Al-Ittihad |
4 |
DF |
Osama Hawsawi |
March 31, 1984 |
48 |
1 |
Al-Hilal |
5 |
DF |
Hassan Mouath |
November 2, 1983 |
5 |
0 |
Al-Shabab |
16 |
DF |
Abdullah Al-Zori |
July 29, 1987 |
22 |
1 |
Al-Hilal |
13 |
DF |
Hussein Аbdualghani |
January 21, 1977 |
107 |
3 |
Al-Nassr |
15 |
MF |
Abdoh Otaif |
April 2, 1984 |
44 |
4 |
Al-Shabab |
10 |
MF |
Mohammad Al-Shalhoub |
December 8, 1980 |
58 |
22 |
Al-Hilal |
14 |
MF |
Saheb Al-Abdullah |
July 21, 1977 |
5 |
0 |
Al-Ahli |
8 |
MF |
Mohammed Noor |
February 26, 1978 |
74 |
23 |
Al-Ittihad |
18 |
MF |
Ahmed Al-Fraidi |
January 29, 1988 |
15 |
5 |
Al-Hilal |
6 |
MF |
Ahmed Otaif |
April 14, 1983 |
25 |
1 |
Al-Shabab |
17 |
MF |
Taisir Al-Jassim |
July 25, 1984 |
47 |
6 |
Al-Ahli |
9 |
FW |
Saleh Bashir |
September 4, 1982 |
14 |
2 |
Al-Ittifaq |
11 |
FW |
Naif Hazazi |
January 11, 1989 |
11 |
6 |
Al-Ittihad |
7 |
FW |
Nasser Al-Shamrani |
November 23, 1983 |
26 |
2 |
Al-Shabab |
18 |
FW |
Yasser Al-Qahtani |
October 10, 1982 |
68 |
50 |
Al Hilal |
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References
External links
Titles
Football in Saudi Arabia |
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Saudi Arabia Football Federation |
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National teams |
Saudi Arabia · Women's team
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League competitions |
Professional League · First Division · Second Division
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Cup competitions |
Champions Cup · Federation Cup · Crown Prince Cup · Prince Faisal Cup
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List of clubs and league structure · List of venues |
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UAFA Football |
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International Competitions |
Arab Nations Cup · Pan Arab Games · Gulf Cup of Nations
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Club Competitions |
Arab Champions League · Gulf Club Champions Cup · Arab Cup Winners' Cup (defunct) · Arab Super Cup (defunct)
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Related Competitions |
Under 23 Gulf Cup of Nations · Under 17 Gulf Cup of Nations, Islamic Solidarity Games
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National Teams |
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Website: uafaonline.com |
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2006 FIFA World Cup finalists |
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Champions |
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Runners-up |
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Third place |
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Fourth place |
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Eliminated in the quarter-finals |
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Eliminated in the round of 16 |
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Eliminated in the group stage |
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Saudi Arabia squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup |
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1 Al‑Deayea • 2 Al‑Dosari • 3 Al‑Khilaiwi • 4 Zubromawi • 5 Madani • 6 Amin • 7 Al‑Ghesheyan • 8 Al‑Bishi • 9 Abdullah • 10 Al‑Owairan • 11 Al‑Mehallel • 12 Al‑Jaber • 13 Al‑Jawad • 14 Al‑Muwallid • 15 Al‑Dawod • 16 Jebreen • 17 Al‑Taifi • 18 Al‑Anazi • 19 Saleh • 20 Idris • 21 Al‑Sadiq • 22 Al‑Helwah • Coach: Solari
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Saudi Arabia squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup |
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1 Al-Deayea • 2 Al-Jahani • 3 Al-Khilaiwi • 4 Zubromawi • 5 Madani • 6 Amin • 7 Al-Shahrani • 8 Al-Dosari • 9 Al-Jaber • 10 S. Al-Owairan • 11 Al-Mehallel • 12 Al-Harbi • 13 Sulaimani • 14 Al-Muwallid • 15 Al-Thunayan • 16 K. Al-Dosari • 17 Dokhi • 18 Al-Temyat • 19 Al-Janoubi • 20 Saleh • 21 Al-Sadiq • 22 Al-Antaif • Coach: Parreira & Al-Kharashy
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Saudi Arabia squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup |
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1 Al-Deayea • 2 Al-Jahani • 3 Tukar • 4 Zubromawi • 5 Harthi • 6 Al-Shehri • 7 Suwayed • 8 Noor • 9 Al-Jaber (c) • 10 Al-Shalhoub • 11 O. Al-Dosari • 12 Dokhi • 13 Sulaimani • 14 Khathran • 15 A. Al-Dosari • 16 K. Al-Dosari • 17 Al-Waked • 18 Al-Temyat • 19 Al-Ghamdi • 20 Al-Yami • 21 Zaid • 22 Al-Khojali • 23 Al-Thagafi • Coach: Al-Johar
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Saudi Arabia squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup |
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1 Al‑Deayea • 2 Dokhi • 3 Tukar • 4 Al‑Montashari • 5 Al‑Qadi • 6 Al‑Ghamdi • 7 Ameen • 8 Noor • 9 Al‑Jaber (c) • 10 Al‑Shalhoub • 11 Al‑Harthi • 12 Khathran • 13 Sulaimani • 14 Kariri • 15 Al‑Bahri • 16 Aziz • 17 Al‑Bishi • 18 Al‑Temyat • 19 Massad • 20 Al‑Qahtani • 21 Zaid • 22 Khouja • 23 Mouath • Coach: Paquetá
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