Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as a guest once before, in 1998, finishing in third place. They are set to participate as a guest team in the 2025 and 2027 tournaments following an invitation in December 2024, shortly after Saudi Arabia was selected to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Saudi Arabia has a strong football pedigree, having qualified for seven FIFA World Cups and achieved notable successes including reaching the 1994 World Cup round of 16 and defeating Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

The squad is picked almost exclusively from Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, but with Al Hilal competing at the Club World Cup has been shorn of some if its biggest stars.

It is hard to know what to expect from what will be an experimental side, but it can be guaranteed that under Herve Renard they will be well drilled and competitive.

Saudi Arabia come into the Gold Cup after a 2-1 loss to Australia that meant they failed to secure a slot in the currenty round to 2026 World Cup qualification. They have a further chance in the next round of group qualifying but have to find better form and consistency.

The Gold Cup provides that opportunity to improve and for Renard to get to know his players better.

Star Players

• (Al-Fateh) – A rising star at 23 who impresses with his creativity and vision, highlighted by four recent assists.
• Marwan Al-Sahafi (Beerschot/Al-Ittihad) at 21 is part of the new future Saudi Arabia is looking to build for its national team. A graduate of the U20 and U23 youth system, the striker has already played nine times for the senior team though has yet to score a goal.

Manager:

Hervé Renard returned to Saudi Arabia in October 2024 for a second spell as manager after Roberto Mancini exited after a poor run of results.

Renard is a highly accomplished French manager renowned for his success with national teams across Africa and the Middle East. He made history as the first coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries – Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.

Renard’s primary aim is to qualify for 2026 and begin preparation of a team that will be World Cup ready when Saudi Arabia host in 2034.

Schedule

• June 15, 2025: vs Haiti (GC) – San Diego, Snapdragon Stadium
• June 19, 2025: vs USA (GC) – Austin, Q2 Stadium
• June 22, 2025: vs Trinidad and Tobago (GC) – Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium

Squad: