The Resilient Journey of Saudi Arabia in the World Cup: From Humble Beginnings to Future Aspirations

The chant of ‘Messi Wainu?’ reverberated throughout the tournament as the Argentine football legend responded to the fervent Saudi fans, not only by reaching the final but ultimately by lifting the one trophy that had previously eluded him. This memorable chant will forever symbolize an extraordinary triumph in Saudi World Cup history, a reflection of national pride and one of the most significant moments for the Arab world in tournament history.

The tournament also marked the best-ever start for Saudi Arabia in a World Cup. However, not every promising beginning culminates in a deserved conclusion. Following a stunning victory on matchday one, expectations rose, but the Green Falcons faltered, suffering losses of 2-0 against Poland and 2-1 against Mexico, leading to their exit in the group stage.

At this point, it is essential to reflect on how Saudi Arabia reached the stage where they could astonish the world, even influencing the greatest player ever.

In the core of the Arabian Peninsula, amidst sand and stars, a dream took shape. A generation chased a singular vision: participation in the World Cup. This dream became a reality in 1994 when, under Coach Mohammed Al-Kharashi, the Saudi football team embarked on a journey to a land they had never before visited: the United States.

A thrilling 4-3 victory over Iran secured the Green Falcons’ spot in the tournament, but few anticipated the excitement they would bring to the competition. Drawn into a group with the Netherlands, Belgium, and Morocco, Fuad Anwar set the tone by scoring against the Dutch. Although they lost 2-1, a belief emerged that they could compete.

In an Arab derby against Morocco, Sami Al-Jaber opened the scoring, and despite Morocco equalizing, it was Fuad Anwar who again etched his name in history, securing Saudi Arabia’s first World Cup victory.

The defining moment arrived against Belgium. The expectation was for an easy win for the Belgians, but Saeed Al-Owairan had other ideas. In just the fifth minute, he took possession in midfield, charged forward, bypassed three defenders, and scored. From Riyadh to Jeddah to Dammam, Saudi fans erupted – it wasn’t merely a goal; it was a collective awakening to the realization that the dream had become reality. This remarkable goal, dubbed ‘The Maradona Goal,’ embodied Saudi spirit, Arab pride, and Asian honor.

Al-Owairan’s stunning strike proved to be the match-winner, allowing Saudi Arabia to advance to the round of 16. With the heroic efforts of a formidable defense led by Ahmed Jamil and the leadership of captain Fuad Anwar, the Green Falcons flew the Arab flag high and earned respect worldwide.

However, their journey came to a halt against Sweden, suffering a 3-1 defeat but departing with pride, as those players had inscribed the initial pages of a glorious saga. This was not an ending; it was the inception of a legend, a nation that envisioned a grand dream, pursuing it until it transformed into a tangible reality.

From the sands of Arabia to the stadiums of America, a legacy began.

Four years later, the Saudi team arrived in France, with many heroes from 1994 having either retired or been replaced. Yet, the new generation retained the same aspiration.

However, fortune did not favor the Green Falcons. They faced Denmark in their opener, missing numerous opportunities before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. Next came the hosts and eventual champions, France, who delivered a crushing 4-0 defeat, ending Saudi Arabia’s campaign prematurely.

Yet, the players refused to capitulate. In their farewell match against South Africa, Sami Al-Jaber scored Saudi Arabia’s first goal of the tournament, and captain Yousuf Al-Thunayan added a second. Hope flickered once more, but cruel fate intervened, as a last-minute penalty snatched the victory away.

From every scar, there are lessons, and the Green Falcons learned that the World Cup is unforgiving, where even minor errors can separate glory from despair. With each defeat, Saudi Arabia sowed seeds of experience, maturity, and determination. The generation may have changed in France, but hope remained steadfast.

In 2002, Asia hosted the World Cup for the first time, and it felt fitting that Saudi Arabia would showcase their talents on home soil. Unfortunately, the outcome was far from favorable. On June 1, 2002, the Green Falcons faced Germany in what would become a historic night, albeit one everyone associated with Saudi Arabia wished to forget. An onslaught of crosses and shots bombarded the Saudi goal, leaving players and fans in stunned disbelief.

The 8-0 defeat carved a profound scar into Saudi football history. However, as the adage goes, ‘every bitter night will pass.’ The resilient Falcons continued, losing to Cameroon via a solitary goal from Samuel Eto’o, followed by a 3-0 defeat to Ireland. They exited the World Cup winless and without scoring a single goal, leaving only silence and tears in their wake.

From that anguish, Saudi Arabia garnered a crucial lesson: football does not forgive the unprepared. Yet, they did not falter; those who have tasted defeat appreciate the sweetness of eventual triumph.

In 2006, the Green Falcons returned to the World Cup stage, blending youth and experience under Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta. With rising star Yasser Al-Qahtani leading the way, hopes soared for a repeat of the 1994 success.

Saudi Arabia commenced their campaign against Tunisia in an all-Arab matchup. Six minutes from full-time, Sami Al-Jaber ignited hearts and rekindled memories of 12 years prior by breaking the deadlock. However, football, in its characteristic manner, offered brief joy before betrayal, as Tunisia equalized in stoppage time.

A subsequent 4-0 defeat to Ukraine followed, along with a respectable 1-0 loss to Spain, yet again, the journey ended at the first hurdle. Unbeknownst to them, this would mark Saudi Arabia’s last World Cup appearance for 12 prolonged years.

Everyone involved in Saudi football believed the pathway to South Africa 2010 would be seamless. The Green Falcons initially appeared strong, progressing confidently towards their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance, only to stumble against North Korea, necessitating a two-legged playoff against Bahrain.

After a goalless draw in the away leg, the two teams faced off in Riyadh, carrying everything to play for. With the scores tied at 1-1 going into stoppage time, Hamad Al-Montashari propelled the home side into the lead. The stands erupted, and joy surged as Saudi Arabia’s dream of a fifth World Cup appearance seemed alive.

Or so they thought. In a fleeting moment, the world flipped upside down; Bahrain equalized in the 94th minute, resulting in their progression via the away goals rule. Silence enveloped the stadium, joy transformed into shock, and shock into tears.

Thousands of faces fixated on the green pitch while players lay prostrate in disbelief. That last-minute goal was a dagger to the dream, a nightmare from which there was no awakening.

It was not merely the loss of a match; it was the loss of a national moment of joy. Four consecutive appearances ended that night, and for those who had tasted glory, embracing the bitter sting of loss proved difficult.

However, perhaps this hiatus was necessary, as each wound births a new beginning. Since that fateful night, the Green Falcons entered a phase of introspection, seeking the true meaning of their jersey and the spirit that refuses to surrender.

As World Cup 2014 qualifiers approached, hope attempted to rise anew, but fate remained unyielding. Coaching changes and tactical shifts led to inconsistency, resulting in Saudi Arabia being eliminated before even reaching the final qualifying stage.

The second absence from the finals weighed heavily. Fans felt as though they had regressed 20 years, when World Cup qualification was merely a distant dream, and hearing the Saudi anthem echoed triumph. It became a time of silence and introspection as Saudi football retreated into the shadows to rebuild and rediscover its essence.

Behind the scenes, however, a new generation began to emerge. Led by Salem Al-Dawsari, Yasser Al-Shahrani, and Abdullah Al-Mayouf, a promising dawn was on the horizon, one worthy of the kingdom’s legacy.

In 2018, they returned. Twelve years away stoked their hunger, and Saudi Arabia re-emerged on the global stage, this time in Russia.

Participating in the opening match, a painful 5-0 defeat against the hosts was followed by a loss to Uruguay. Yet, something had shifted within the Green Falcons’ spirit; they no longer bowed their heads in shame.

In their final match against Egypt, legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary stood resolute, saving a penalty to make World Cup history as the oldest goalkeeper to do so. Then, in stoppage time, Al-Dawsari struck, shaking the net and igniting a roar from the fans.

That win represented more than just three points; it signified the rebirth of the Saudi spirit. A message was sent to the world: Saudi Arabia returned not merely to participate, but to compete. From the pain of the Bahraini setback to joy in Russia, the Green Falcons learned that every fall is not an end, but the inception of another rise.

From Al-Owairan’s goal that captivated the globe to Al-Dawsari’s strike that startled Messi and his teammates in Qatar, the Green Falcons continue to tell a timeless story. It is a narrative of a nation that refuses to bow to impossibility; that rises with every fall, returning stronger with each setback.

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup journey transcends mere goals and results. It embodies a dream that has persisted since 1994. All eyes now turn towards 2026, as the Green Falcons prepare to pen a new chapter in their illustrious tale.

A new generation continues to carry the same dream, guided by coach Renard, who understands that glory is not a matter of coincidence, but the culmination of unwavering determination and will. The Frenchman, who led Saudi Arabia to a stunning victory over world champions, aspires to replicate that success during the Green Falcons’ return to North America.

However, this time, the stage is different; the groundwork has been laid more thoroughly than ever. Today, Saudi Arabia no longer walks alone, as its domestic league boasts superstars and coaches like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Joao Felix, Simone Inzaghi, Jorge Jesus, and Sergio Conceicao, among others. Their presence has attracted global attention, heightened ambition, and transformed Saudi stadiums into laboratories for future triumph.

The world may forget many goals, but it will forever remember Al-Owairan’s majestic sprint akin to Maradona, Al-Dawsari’s decisive strike that felled Messi, and the tears of fans witnessing the Kingdom’s flag soar high.

Football in Saudi Arabia transcends mere competition; it reflects the identity of a nation, a chapter of its contemporary history narrated on the green pitch for the world to see. As Saudi Arabia strides toward 2026, it carries with it a glorious past, a promising present, and a league brimming with stars, fueled by an unshakeable faith that the best is yet to come.