Saudi Arabia will participate in their sixth FIFA World Cup when the tournament in Qatar kicks off next month.
The Falcon qualified for the tournament dubbed the festival of football for the first time in 1994, under the stewardship of Argentine boss Jorge Scolari and they reached the last-16 before getting knocked out by Sweden.
Saudi Arabia qualified for the next three World Cups, but failed to win a match in any of them, and in 2002 they failed to score a goal, while conceding 12, including eight against Germany.
After a 12-year wait to qualify for their next World Cup, Saudi Arabia booked their place at the 2018 tournament, which was held in Russia.
However, hosts Russia cruised to victory against the Arabs in the opening match 5–0.
Saudi Arabia then lost 1-0 to eventual group winners Uruguay, but despite already being eliminated from the biggest sporting event in the world, they managed to finish the tournament on a positive note by winning their final group stage match against Red Sea neighbours Egypt.
The win against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt was Saudi Arabia’s first World Cup win for 24 years.
After being on the end of some World Cup drubbings, HITC Sport takes a look at Saudi Arabia’s record defeat.
Saudi Arabia’s record defeat
Saudi Arabia’s biggest defeat came against Egypt in September 1961 when they were beaten 13-0 in Morocco.
The Arabs, who are coached by Herve Renard, have been drawn in Group C at the World Cup alongside Mexico, Poland and Argentina.
Their first match will see them come up against a certain Lionel Messi and co on 22 November.
And with Robert Lewandowski no doubt eager to break his World Cup duck, the Barcelona striker will likely see the game against Saudi Arabia as a good opportunity to open his World Cup account.
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