Who got the nod from head coach Herve Renard as Saudi Arabia prepare for 2022 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia will be making their sixth appearance at the World Cup in Qatar.
They first made it to the finals of the tournament in 1994 and made an instant impact as they reached the round of 16 on their debut.
Can the Green Falcons do even better in Qatar?
Well, coach Herve Renard would definitely want to, but he will be well aware of the threat posed by other nations in their pool.
Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group C along with Argentina, Mexico and Poland.
Not the easiest of groups, but Renard would hope that his troops can cause a couple of upsets and make it to the knockout stages.
Here are the 26 players who will make the trip to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group C: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS
Mohammed Al-Owais is the undisputed No.1 for Renard between the sticks. The 30-year-old played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's World Cup qualification campaign and has started in every international fixture in 2022.
Mohammed Al Rubiae of Al-Ahli and Fawaz Al-Qarni are likely to be the second and third-choice keepers. Al-Rubaie, 25, has been impressive in the domestic league for Al-Ahli and is a solid option on the bench.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi is another option between the sticks.
Name
Club
Mohammed Al Rubaie
Al-Ahli
Mohammed Al-Owais
Al-Hilal
Nawaf Al-Aqidi
Al-Nassr
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS
Renard has tried plenty of combinations in the last year to find the right balance in defence.
Ali Al-Bulaihi has been the most-used centre back, whereas others like Abdulelah Al-Amri, Ziyad Al-Sahafi, and Hassan Tambakti have been used in rotation.
Sultan Al-Ghanam and Saud Abdulhamid are the two preferred choices at right-back, while Yasser Al-Shahrani and Nasser Al-Dawsari have been mostly deployed at the left-back position.
Yasser Al-Shahrani is one of the most experienced defenders in the Saudi-Arabian back-line and his presence in Qatar will be vital to keep a check on fiercely offensive opponents like Argentina and Poland.
Name
Club
Sultan Al-Ghanam
Al-Nassr
Abdullah Madu
Al-Nassr
Abdulelah Al-Amri
Al-Nassr
Ali Al-Bulaihi
Al-Hilal
Saud Abdulhamid
Al-Ittihad
Yasser Al-Shahrani
Al-Hilal
Hassan Tambakti
Al-Shabab
Mohammed Al-Breik
Al-Hilal
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
Salman Al Faraj and Abdullah Otayf are mostly used as the two defensive midfielders. They play together for Al-Hilal, which benefits their understanding at the centre of the park.
Salem Al-Dawsari must be one of the first names on the team sheet as he has been sublime for Saudi Arabia on the left wing.
Hattan Bahebri is another experienced candidate who is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder. The 30-year-old plies his trade with Al-Shabab and is a regular for them.
Fahad Al-Muwallad, meanwhile, was initially included in the team but was dropped as a precaution as he failed a doping test in February and the case is still going on. Instead, Nawaf al-Abed was called up in his place.
Name
Club
Salman Al-Faraj
Al-Hilal
Salem Al-Dawsari
Al-Hilal
Ali Al-Hassan
Al-Nassr
Sami Al-Najei
Al-Nassr
Nawaf Al-Abed
Al-Shabab
Nasser Al-Dawsari
Al-Hilal
Riyadh Sharahili
Abha
Hattan Bahebri
Al-Shabab
Mohamed Kanno
Al-Hilal
Abdullah Otayf
Al-Hilal
Abdulrahman Al-Aboud
Al-Ittihad
ATTACKERS
Firas Al-Buraikan should be the first choice to lead the lines. The Al-Fateh striker has been hitting the right chords at club level and will be eager to replicate his performances in the World Cup.
Saleh Al-Shehri was at his prolific best during the qualification stage as he scored seven goals in 13 appearances. He is expected to provide stiff competition to Al-Buraikan.
Name
Club
Firas Al-Buraikan
Al-Fateh
Haitham Asiri
Al-Ahli
Saleh Al-Shehri
Al-Hilal