The Saudi national football team faced another setback in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, losing to Serbia with a score of 2-1 in a friendly match held in the Serbian city of Backa Topola. Despite a strong start from the Green Falcons with an early goal, the team could not maintain their lead.
The opening goal for Saudi Arabia was scored by Abdullah Al-Hamdan in the eighth minute, as he capitalized on a loose ball that he lobbed over the Serbian goalkeeper to find the net. However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround, with Serbia equalizing through Pavlovic in the 66th minute, before Mitrovic added a second goal in the 70th minute, dashing the Green Falcons' hopes for a positive result.
Match Details
French coach Herve Renard started the match with a lineup that included Mohammed Al-Owais in goal, supported by Saud Abdulhamid, Ryan Hamid, Muteb Al-Mufarij, Nawaf Boushal, and Naif Masoud. In midfield, Naif Masoud, Ziyad Al-Jahani, Mohammed Kanno, Marwan Al-Suhafi, and Abdulaziz Al-Aliwi played, while Abdullah Al-Hamdan was the sole striker.
After the early goal, Renard made several substitutions in the second half, bringing on Khalifa Al-Dosari, Firas Al-Buraikan, and Mohammed Mahzari, but these changes failed to alter the course of the match. The performance of the Green Falcons noticeably declined in the second half, leading to two goals conceded in a short span of time.
Background & Context
This match is part of a series of preparations undertaken by the Saudi national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as the team aims to improve its performance following a heavy loss to Egypt during its training camp last March. The team faces significant challenges in building a strong squad capable of competing in the global tournament.
In this context, the Saudi Football Federation confirmed that the relationship with coach Herve Renard remains intact, and that rumors regarding the termination of his contract are unfounded. The federation clarified that the coaching staff is working according to a pre-prepared plan to prepare the team for upcoming challenges.
Impact & Consequences
This loss serves as a wake-up call for the Saudi national team, as the coaching staff and players must review their performance and work on improving weaknesses before the World Cup begins. The declining defensive performance in the second half raises concerns about the team's ability to face top-tier teams in the tournament.
Despite the good start, the Green Falcons need to boost the morale of the players and improve coordination between the lines, especially in light of the upcoming challenges. There is also a need to focus on the psychological aspect of the players to ensure a strong performance in future matches.
Regional Significance
The participation of the Saudi national team in the World Cup is an important event for the Arab region, as Arab audiences eagerly await the team's performance in the tournament. Fans hope that the Green Falcons can deliver a level worthy of the reputation of Arab football, enhancing the chances of other Arab teams competing on the global stage.
In the face of fierce competition in global football, Arab teams need to learn from past experiences and work on improving their performance to ensure positive results in international tournaments.