Top key players of Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup

• Saudi Arabian team will compete in its sixth World Cup

• They had their greatest performance in the 1994 edition, finishing in the round of 16

Image source : Vogue Man Arabia

For many observers, Saudi Arabia's participation in FIFA's world cup has become the standard.

In fact, the Green Falcons' (Nickname of Saudi Arabia) peak ended with the 2006 World Cup as players like Saeed Al-Owairan, Sami Al Jaber, and Muhammad Al-Deayea decided to hang up their boots. Saudi Arabia consequently missed out on the global tournament in both 2010 and 2014. The Arab heavyweights did not regain their World Cup status for Russia 2018 until a fresh group of players emerged.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation declined to extend Juan Pizzi's contract in 2019. A disappointing group stage elimination at the 2018 World Cup in Russia was followed by more heartbreak at the 2019 Asian Cup, where they were eliminated by Japan in the Round of 16. After winning two Africa Cup of Nations championships with Zambia and Côte d'Ivoire, respectively, and having coached Morocco at the 2018 Russia World Cup, Frenchman Herve Renard was chosen as the next manager.

The 53-year-old coach started working right away. He led a restructuring that combined veteran performers like Salem Al-Dawsari and Salman Al Faraj with up-and-coming performers like Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, and Sami Al-Najei. A number of the old guard, like Abd Al Malik Al-Khaybri, Taisir Al-Jassim, and even former captain Osama Hawsawi, who were all significant figures in the Pizzi era, came to an end during this time.

As seen by Saudi Arabia's victorious 2022 World Cup qualification campaign, the tactic had an instant impact. With just one loss and first place finishes in both Japan and Australia's groups, the Greens gained early entry into Qatar. The first true test for this bunch of players is yet to occur, and Renard will be trying to qualify for the final 16 for the first time since 1994.

Here, we shine a focus on some of the greatest names from Saudi Arabia who will be working hard to make headlines during Qatar 2022.

Abdulelah Al-Amri

Position: Center-back

Age: 25

Image source: AFC

The young Al-Nassr defender has established himself as one of Saudi Arabia's top performers since being called up to the senior team in 2021 and took part in all but one of The Greens' World Cup qualifiers. He significantly contributed to the team's five out of nine clean sheets.

Al-Amri will need to be on his game to restrict Group C's nimble shooters as he gears up to test his wits against the great skills of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. His defensive capabilities will undoubtedly be tested by those lethal finishers, and his backfield distribution will be crucial.

Attackers find it difficult to get past Al-Amri in the Saudi Pro League, and his ability to succeed in one-on-one contests in the air and on the ground says a lot about his defensive prowess. Al-Nassr will be essential against some of the finest teams in the world, despite the bad season he had the previous year.

Yasser Al-Shahrani

Position: Left-back

Age: 30

Since receiving his first cap in the 2012 friendly match against Spain, Al-Shahrani, who currently plays club football for the reigning Saudi champions Al-Hilal, has been a regular in the Green Falcons' backline. With 66 international appearances under his credit, he is currently one of the team's most-capped players.

He is a right-footed player by nature, but because of his high interception and blocking rates, as well as his quick running up and down the flank, he is still the go-to option at left back.

The flexible defender, who is equally comfortable at center-back, has virtually always been present in his country's most important matches during his international career. He participated in all but two of the qualifications, which was crucial in helping the Arab team qualify for Qatar 2022. The fact that Al-Shahrani's teammates Nasser Al-Dosari, a midfielder, and Saud Abdul Hamid, who is primarily a right-back, had to fill in for him during his two matches away from the team, highlights the lack of a clear and obvious replacement for Al-Shahrani and further demonstrates his value to the Green Falcons.

Salman Al-Faraj
Position: Midfielder
Age: 33

Al-Faraj, who serves as captain for both club and country, has put in a string of outstanding performances in recent years for both Riyadh-based Al-Hilal and the national team and is an important part of Herve Renard's system. Al-Faraj missed the team's most recent games, and his absence showed the skill he brings to the team, particularly in the middle of the field.

For the Arabs to repeat their performance from the tournament's 1994 edition, the veteran midfielder will need to rely upon every last bit of his enormous expertise in the matches against Argentina, Poland, and Mexico.

The left-footed player usually takes one shot every game, makes 2.1 accurate passes behind the defense each game, and stops 1.6 of their opponent's attempts.

Al-Faraj missed the first three weeks of the year because of an injury, but in the AFC qualifiers against China, he found his best form again. He was key in aiding Al-Hilal to win the Saudi Professional League championship again.

Salem Al-Dawsari
Position: Winger
Age: 30

Image source: AFC

In a time when flair players are a little harder to come by, Al-Hilal's Al-Dawsari stands out as a special talent. Ten years after making his debut for his country, he is still producing impressive performances for both his club and his country. In just 21 games during the previous Saudi League season, he contributed 14 goals (9 goals and 5 assists).

The wideman's recent absences from the team's matches haven't diminished his importance to the team, though, as a result of the variety of roles he can fill.

Regarding his World Cup background, Al-Dawsari started each of the three group-stage matches in Russia in 2018 and scored a 94th-minute winner against Egypt in the last group-stage match. He is anticipated to play a significant role in the Green Falcons' effort to establish themselves in Qatar.

Firas Al-Buraikan

Position: Forward

Age: 22

The young player received his first senior cap from head coach Renard at the tender age of 19. The Frenchman has complete faith in the rising star. However, the numbers speak for themselves. Al-Buraikan scored 11 goals, surpassing competitors Hattan Bahabri and Salem Al-Dosari, who each scored nine and seven goals.

While some may feel that Al-Buraikan is too young to be the offensive captain of the Green Falcons, he is a stalwart of the national team and seizes any chance that comes his way. Despite not finding the back of the net much to this point, the goals he scored against Japan, China, and Oman all turned out to be game-winning strikes.

When facing the Messi-inspired Copa America champions, a Poland team captained by Lewandowski, and Mexico, whose 1-0 victory over 2014 World Cup winners Germany contributed to the reigning champions' downfall in Russia where they crashed out meekly at the group stage, the young hotshot will be charged with leading his side to victory.

The young gun stands out for his excellent build-up play, which players like Salem Al-Dawsari appreciate.