AFC Asian Cup 2024, Saudi Arabia Preview: Schedule, Squad, Key Players, Best XI, Prediction

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Saudi Arabia will be aiming to end their 28-year-long trophy drought as they take part in the AFC Asian Cup 2024 in Qatar, which starts from January 12.

Saudi Arabia has made steady progress in football over the last few years, and they reached the pinnacle of it in the World Cup 2022, when they beat eventual champions Argentina in the group stages.

The Green Falcons are currently ranked 56 in the FIFA rankings and are one of the favourites in the tournament. They have an abundance of talent in the national team, which has flourished with the influx of various world-class players in their domestic league in 2023. As Al Akhdar (The Green) take part in the tournament in Qatar, expectations will be sky-high from their passionate supporters.

Saudi Arabia are placed in Group F along with Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand. They were ousted in the Round of 16 in the Asian Cup 2019.

Saudi Arabia Asian Cup Records

Appearance: 11th

Best Record: Champions (3 - 1984, 1988, 1996)

Manager: Roberto Mancini

Saudi Arabia AFC Cup 2024 Schedule

Saudi Arabia vs Oman - Jan 16, 11 pm IST / 8:30 pm Saudi Time

Saudi Arabia vs Kyrgyzstan - Jan 21, 11 pm IST / 8:30 pm Saudi Time

Saudi Arabia vs Thailand - Jan 25, 8:30 pm IST / 6 pm Saudi Time

Saudi Arabia AFC Asian Cup 2024 Squad

Goalkeepers: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Raghid Najjar, Ahmad Al Kassar

Defenders: Hassan Kadish, Aoun Al Salouli, Ali Al Bulaihi, Ali Lajami, Hassan Tambakti, Saud Abdulhamid, Fawaz Al Saqur

Midfielders: Ayman Yahya, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Mukhtar Ali, Abdulelah Al Maliki, Faisal Al Ghamdi, Eid Al Muwallad, Salem Al Dawsari, Abbas Al Hassan, Nasser Al Dawsari, Mohammed Kanno, Sami Al Najei,

Forwards: Fahad Al Muwallad, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Firas Al Buraikan, Abdullah Radif, and Saleh Al Shehri

Saudi Arabia players will be hoping for a much better outing in this edition of the tournament. The Falcons have a top-notch coach and the players are also well equipped. They would be keen to end their 28-year-long draught in Asian Cup and finally lift the title for the fourth time.

Asian Cup 2024 Saudi Arabia Key Players

Saleh Al Shehri (FWD): Saleh Al Shehri is the forward force for Saudi Arabia and he will be crucial for them in the Asian Cup. The Al Hilal striker has seen his chances limited at the club, but has been a regular for the national team under Mancini. He has a prolific record for his nation, scoring 15 goals in 30 appearances. And he will be the man leading the line for them in the tournament.

Salem Al-Dawsari (MID): Salem Al-Dawsari is a Saudi stalwart. The 32-year-old is the most experienced player in this Saudi squad with 78 appearances to his name. The Al Hilal midfielder ticks the midfield and is the main orchestrator of the team. And he will be the engine for the Green Falcons in the tournament. He will also wear the captain's armband and thus control the proceedings for them in the tournament.

Abdulrahman Ghareeb (FWD): Abdulrahman Ghareeb can be one of the surprise packages in the Asian Cup. The Al Nassr winger has been extremely lively this season and is in superb form. Ghareeb can operate from the left hand side and his elite attributes can make him a key player for Saudi in the tournament.

Ali Lajami (DEF): Ali Lajami is going to be key at the heart of Saudi Arabia's defense. The 27-year-old has been relatively new in the international setup, but he is having a decent season at Al Nassr. It is to be seen how he adapts at the continental stage, but if given regular opportunity, Lajami can be a rock for the Falcons.

Saudi Arabia AFC Asian Cup 2024 Best XI

Nawaf Al-Aqidi; Saud Abdulhamid, Ali Lajami, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Hassan Kadesh; Salem Al-Dawsari, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Mohamed Kanno, Abdulrahman Ghareeb; Saleh Al-Shehri, Firas Al-Buraikan

AFC Asian Cup 2024 Saudi Arabia Prediction

Saudi Arabia are one of the favorites coming into the Asian Cup. The Green Falcons will have a difficult challenge to topple their rivals, but they are a team equipped with class and skill to lift the title in Qatar. It will be a testament of the significant steps they have taken forward in the last two years, and it is to be seen how they fare in Qatar.

Will Saudi Arabia progress to the knockouts of AFC Asian Cup 2024?

Yes, Saudi Arabia are likely to progress to the Round of 16 of the tournament.

How far Saudi Arabia can go in the Asian Cup 2024?

Saudi Arabia can go as far as the Final in the tournament and even win the continental title. But our prediction is that the Green Falcons will be reaching the semifinals.