Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, known as the Green Falcons, are three-time AFC Asian Cup champions and one of Asia's most decorated football nations, having appeared at seven FIFA World Cups since their debut in 1994.

The Saudi football federation was established in 1956, and the national team quickly rose to prominence in Asian football. Their dominant period came in the 1980s and 1990s, when they captured three consecutive AFC Asian Cup titles in 1984, 1988, and 1996, cementing their status as continental powerhouses.

The 1994 World Cup marked a breakthrough moment on the global stage — Saudi Arabia advanced to the round of 16 in their debut tournament, defeating Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before bowing out to Sweden. This era produced legendary figures such as top scorer Majed Abdullah and goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea.

After a difficult period in the 2000s and 2010s, the Green Falcons experienced a remarkable resurgence. Their 2022 World Cup campaign produced one of the tournament's greatest upsets when they defeated eventual champions Argentina 2–1 in the group stage, ending a 36-match unbeaten run. Saudi Arabia qualified for the 2026 World Cup and also participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2025.