EAGLE-EYED soccer followers could have noticed Saudi Arabia being known as KSA on TV.
However why is that this abbreviation used, what number of World Cups have Saudi Arabia performed in and who’s at the moment within the squad? Right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to know.
Saudi Arabia’s identify will get truncated to KSA on World Cup scoreline graphics
Why are Saudi Arabia known as KSA on TV?
KSA stands for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the nation’s official identify, which when abbreviated matches contained in the small area allotted to the sport’s scoreboard on TV broadcasts.
The nation was based as a kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
In line with stories, each FIFA and the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) use the KSA abbreviation.
Nonetheless, the Worldwide Group for Standardization (ISO) makes use of SA.
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What number of occasions have Saudi Arabia performed on the World Cup?
In 2022, Saudi Arabia sealed their spot in Qatar and made their sixth look on the World Cup.
The membership made their first World Cup debut in 1994 – after they reached the final 16 within the USA.
They grew to become the second Arab crew in historical past to succeed in the spherical of 16 of a World Cup after Morocco on the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia then returned to the competitors in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022.
Within the newest World Cup competitors, the crew beat eventual champions Argentina 2-1, nevertheless, they later misplaced the next matches in opposition to Poland and Mexico.
In consequence, Saudi Arabia had been knocked out fourth within the group stage.
In September 2023, Saudi Arabia launched their bid to host the 2034 World Cup – pushing again their preliminary plans to stage the 2030 event.
The Saudi FA launched an announcement which learn: “In the present day, we enter the following chapter of Saudi soccer: aspiring to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
“Our bid is impressed by Saudi Arabia’s transformation journey, the eagerness of our followers, and a dedication to ship an incredible event.”
What different competitions have Saudi Arabia competed in?
Other than competing within the World Cup, Saudi Arabia have additionally competed in plenty of different competitions.
They’ve received the AFC Asian Cup 3 times in 1984, 1988, and 1996 and have reached a joint file six Asian Cup finals.
Saudi Arabia are the primary Asian crew to succeed in the ultimate of a senior FIFA competitors on the 1992 King Fahd Cup – which might finally grow to be the FIFA Confederations Cup.
The membership additionally usually participates within the Gulf Cup of Nations, AFC Champions League, and Arab Nations Cup.
Who’s within the present Saudi Arabia squad?
In August 2023, Roberto Mancini was named as the brand new supervisor of Saudi Arabia – two weeks after he resigned as Italy’s head coach, following 5 years on the helm.
Mancini’s contract is claimed to be price a staggering £21.5million per yr after tax.
Saudi Arabia had been managed by Herve Renard finally yr’s World Cup, however the Frenchman stepped down with the intention to be part of his personal nation’s ladies’s nationwide crew.
Right here we check out who’s within the present Saudi Arabia squad.
- GK – Mohammed Al-Owais
- GK – Mohammed Al-Rubaie
- GK – Raghed Al-Najjar
- GK – Hamed Al-Shanqiti
- DF – Yasser Al-Shahrani
- DF – Ali Al-Bulaihi
- DF – Saud Abdulhamid
- DF – Sultan Al-Ghannam
- DF – Abdulelah Al-Amri
- DF – Hassan Al-Tambakti
- DF – Ali Lajami
- DF – Zakaria Hawsawi
- MF – Salem Al-Dawsari
- MF – Fahad Al-Muwallad
- MF – Salman Al-Faraj
- MF – Mohamed Kanno
- MF – Abdulellah Al-Malki
- MF – Sami Al-Najei
- MF – Abdulrahaman Ghareeb
- MF – Abdullah Al-Khaibari
- MF – Nasser Al-Dawsari
- MF – Ayman Yahya
- MF – Ali Hazazi
- MF – Faisal Al-Ghamdi
- MF – Eid Al-Muwallad
Different members of the squad embrace:
- FW – Firas Al-Buraikan
- FW – Abdullah Al-Hamdan
- FW – Saleh Al-Shehri
- FW – Haroune Camara
- FW – Haitham Asiri
- FW – Mohammed Maran