Saudi Arabia confirm 26-man squad for 2022 World Cup

Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard has confirmed his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

One of the standout additions is that of 33-year-old captain Salman Al-Faraj, who sustained a shoulder injury in the first half of the 1-0 friendly win against Iceland on Sunday.

The 69-cap midfielder will be fit to lead his team out at the tournament in Qatar, which will be his second World Cup after featuring three times at the 2018 event in Russia.

Every member of the Green Falcons squad play their club football in their homeland, with Al-Ahli duo Mohamed Al-Yami and Haitham Asiri the only two players who ply their trade below the Saudi Pro League.

As many as 12 players represent 18-time top-flight champions and current holders Al-Hilal, including star winger Salem Al-Dawsari who scored in the World Cup group stage four years ago.

Fahad Al-Muwallad is one of three Al Shabab players who have made the cut; the 28-year-old forward has scored 17 goals in 62 international appearances, more than any other member of the 26-man squad.

Goalkeeper duo Nawaf Al-Aqidi and Mohamed Al-Owais have not been first-team regulars for Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal respectively this season, but they have both been selected by Renard and will compete with Al-Yami for a starting place between the sticks.

Saudi Arabia will lock horns with two-time world champions Argentina as well as Mexico and Poland in Group C, with their opening fixture in Qatar against the former on November 22.

Saudi Arabia's 2022 World Cup squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Al-Aqidi (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Al-Yami (Al-Ahli)

Defenders: Yasser Al-Shahrani (Al-Hilal), Ali Al-Bulaihi (Al-Hilal), Abdulelah Al-Amri (Al-Nassr), Abdullah Madu (Al-Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al Shabab), Sultan Al-Ghanam (Al-Nassr), Mohammed Al-Breik (Al-Hilal), Saud Abdulhamid (Al-Hilal)

Midfielders: Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal), Riyadh Sharahili (Abha), Ali Al-Hassan (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal), Abdulelah Al-Malki (Al-Hilal), Sami Al-Najei (Al-Nassr), Abdullah Otayf (Al-Hilal), Nasser Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Abdulrahman Al-Aboud (Al-Ittihad), Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Hattan Bahebri (Al Shabab)

Forwards: Fahad Al-Muwallad (Al Shabab), Haitham Asiri (Al-Ahli), Saleh Al-Shehri (Al-Hilal), Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Fateh)