How Many Times Has the Saudi National Football Team Qualified for the World Cup Finals?

The Saudi national football team has qualified for the World Cup finals six times. These qualifications were for the 1994 World Cup in the United States, the 1998 World Cup in France, the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The participation of the Saudi national team in the 1994 World Cup is considered exceptional after qualifying for the Round of 16.

The Saudi national team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history in 1994, under the leadership of its Argentine coach Jorge Solari. The tournament was held in the United States, and the Kingdom's group included the Netherlands, Morocco, and Belgium. The first match was against the Netherlands, which ended with a 2-1 victory for the Dutch team, with the Kingdom's goal scored by Fuad Anwar. The second match was against Morocco, and the Kingdom won 2-1, with goals scored by Sami al-Jaber (one from a penalty) and Fuad Anwar. In the third match, the Kingdom defeated Belgium 1-0, with the only goal scored by Saeed al-Owairan. All three matches were played in the U.S. capital, Washington, and the Kingdom advanced to the Round of 16. They played Sweden in Dallas but were eliminated after a 3-1 loss, with the Kingdom's goal scored by Fahad al-Ghesheyan.

The Saudi national team participated in the FIFA World Cup for the second time in 1998 (1418 AH) in France. The Kingdom's group included Denmark, France, and South Africa. At that time, the team was coached by Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira. The first match was against Denmark in the French city of Lens, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Denmark. The second match was against France in the city of Saint-Denis, and the Kingdom lost 4-0. In the third match, the Kingdom played against South Africa in the city of Bordeaux, under the guidance of Saudi coach Mohamed al-Kharashi, who had replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with both goals for the Kingdom scored by Sami al-Jaber and Youssef al-Thunayan, both from penalties. As a result, the Kingdom was eliminated in the group stage.

South Korea and Japan hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The Kingdom's group included Germany, Cameroon, and Ireland. The Saudi national team played its first match against Germany in the Japanese city of Sapporo, losing 0-8. They also lost their second match, played in the Japanese city of Saitama, against Cameroon with a 1-0 scoreline. In the third match against Ireland, the Kingdom lost 3-0. The Saudi team was coached at the time by Saudi coach Nasser al-Johar.

Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the Saudi national team was coached by Brazilian Marcos Paquetá. The Kingdom's group included Tunisia, Ukraine, and Spain. In the first match, the Kingdom drew 2-2 with Tunisia in the city of Munich, with goals scored by Yasser al-Qahtani and Sami al-Jaber. In the second match, the Kingdom faced Ukraine and lost 4-0 in Hamburg. In the third match, Spain defeated the Kingdom 1-0 in the German city of Kaiserslautern. As a result, the Kingdom was eliminated from the tournament.

The Saudi national team qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in its history, under the guidance of Spanish coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. The Kingdom's group included Russia, Uruguay, and Egypt. In the first match, the team played against Russia in Moscow and lost 5-0. In the second match, they faced Uruguay in Rostov and lost 1-0. In the third match, the Kingdom played Egypt in Volgograd and won 2-1, with goals scored by Salman al-Faraj (from a penalty) and Salem al-Dosari.

The Saudi national football team qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for the sixth time in its history, under the leadership of French coach Hervé Renard. The draw placed the Kingdom in Group C alongside Argentina, Mexico, and Poland. In the first match, held at Lusail Stadium, the Kingdom defeated Argentina 2-1, with goals scored by Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dosari. In the second match, the Kingdom faced Poland at Education City Stadium and lost 2-0. In the third match, they played Mexico at Lusail Stadium and lost 2-1, with the Kingdom's goal scored by Salem al-Dosari.