Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
The Saudi Arabian national team is set to appear in its third consecutive World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Despite the historic accomplishment for the country, Georgios Donis’ squad will look to improve on the results from the past two tournaments. Saudi Arabia has won just two of its six matches across the last two World Cups, failing to advance past the group stage in either year.
Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup Betting Odds
- To Win World Cup:
- To Reach Final:
- To Reach Semifinal:
- To Reach Quarterfinal:
- To Win Group H:
- To Advance From Group:
- Group: Group H
- FIFA Rank: 61
Al-Akhdar enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s biggest underdogs. Donis’ squad is tied for the fourth-longest odds (+50000) to lift the trophy.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s solid play in AFC qualifiers, oddsmakers do not expect Al-Akhdar to make a deep run this summer. Saudi Arabia’s odds of reaching the final are similarly long at +25000.
Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup Best Bet
Unfortunately for Al-Akhdar, Group H features two squads that are arguably stronger and more experienced in Spain and Uruguay. While Saudi Arabia’s upset over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup should give fans a glimmer of hope, Donis’ side will likely be eliminated in the group stage for the third consecutive tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s best path to the knockout rounds would require a major upset against Uruguay in its first match of the tournament. Al-Akhdar enters the first fixture as a +550 underdog, making progression to the knockout rounds highly unlikely.
Al-Akhdar should remain competitive; however, the quality of Uruguay and Spain will prove to be too much for the Asian side to overcome.
Best Bet: Stage of Elimination, Group Stage (-120)
Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup Players to Watch
Saudi Arabia’s squad largely consists of experienced veterans who will now be experiencing their third World Cup this June. However, Donis has included some young talent that you should keep an eye on this Summer:
Saud Abdulhamid: Abdulhamid will be attending his second straight World Cup, looking to make a greater impact than he did in 2022. The 26-year-old has developed significantly since the last tournament, and his versatility in the squad will be key for Donis.
Abdulhamid has had a solid season on loan at RC Lens in Ligue 1, primarily playing in midfield but also filling in at right-back when needed. The Roma midfielder is expected to play a significant role in the team’s playmaking later this Summer.
Marwan Al-Sahafi: One of the youngest players in the squad, Marwan Al-Sahafi, is expected to make his World Cup debut at just 22 years old. The Royal Antwerp attacker has shown promise in the Belgian top flight despite limited playing time.
Al-Sahafi will likely serve as a rotational player for Donis in this tournament. However, look for the Saudi Arabian youngster to influence play with his pace and playmaking on the left wing when he is on the pitch.
Saudi Arabia World Cup History
The previous two World Cups have been difficult for Saudi Arabia, with the Asian side scoring just five goals in six games.
Al-Akhdar has historically struggled in this competition, with Saudi Arabia advancing from the group stage just once, in 1994.
The high point in recent history came when Saudi Arabia defeated eventual world champions Argentina, 2-1, in the opening match of the last tournament. Saudi Arabia entered that match as +2200 underdogs, shocking the world with its victory.
Photo Credit: AP/Aijaz Rahi
