Saudi clubs are making a notable presence in the 2026 World Cup finals, as the final squad lists of participating national teams include 47 players active in Saudi competitions, among them 25 players representing the Saudi national team and 22 foreign players distributed across 16 different national teams.
Al-Hilal leads the list of clubs with the most representatives in the tournament with 12 players: Theo Hernandez, Ruben Neves, Darwin Nunez, Kalidou Koulibaly, Yassine Bounou, Hassan Tambakti, Ali Lajami, Mutab Al-Harbi, Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dosari, Sultan Mandash, and Salem Al-Dosari.
Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr come in second place with 9 players each.
Al-Ahli: Edouard Mendy, Ivan Toney, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Franck Kessie, Riyad Mahrez, Firas Al-Buraikan, Ali Majrashi, and Ziyad Al-Johani.
Al-Nassr: Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Ayman Yahya, Nawaf Boushal, Abdulilah Al-Omari, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan.
Al-Qadsiah has six players: Julian Quinones, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Musab Al-Juwayr, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Jihad Zikri, and Ahmed Al-Kassar.
Al-Ittihad is represented by four players: Fabinho Tavares, Houssem Aouar, Hassan Kadesh, and Saleh Al-Shehri.
Al-Ettifaq participates through Jack Hendry and Khalid Al-Ghannam, while Al-Najma is represented by Ali Jassim and Nabil Emad (Dunga).
Alaa Hejji is present as a representative of Neom club in the Saudi national team list, while Mohamed Al-Owais represents Al-Ula, and Jurian Gaari represents Abha in the Curacao national team list.
The benefits for Saudi clubs are not limited to the technical aspect, as they will achieve significant financial returns from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) program, which grants clubs approximately $11,000 per day for each player participating in the tournament. Thus, Al-Hilal will receive about $132,000 daily, compared to $99,000 for both Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, $66,000 for Al-Qadsiah, $44,000 for Al-Ittihad, $22,000 for each of Al-Ettifaq and Al-Najma, and $11,000 for each of Neom, Al-Ula, and Abha.
This large presence reflects the growing status of the Saudi league, which has become one of the most prominent leagues represented in the World Cup due to its attraction of a large number of national team stars from around the world.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal is a prominent Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh, founded in 1957. Known for its rich history and numerous domestic and continental titles, including multiple AFC Champions League victories, it is one of Asia’s most successful and popular sports clubs. The club’s name, meaning “the crescent moon” in Arabic, reflects its cultural significance and enduring legacy in Middle Eastern football.
Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli refers to a prominent football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, officially founded in 1937. The club has a rich history in Saudi sports, winning numerous domestic league titles and cups, and is known for its passionate fan base. Al-Ahli also maintains a strong cultural presence, with its name meaning “national” in Arabic, reflecting its deep connection to the community.
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1955. The club has a rich history as one of the most successful teams in Saudi and Asian football, winning multiple domestic league titles and the AFC Champions League. In recent years, Al-Nassr gained global attention by signing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023, further elevating its international profile.
Al-Qadsiah
Al-Qadsiah is a historic town in eastern Saudi Arabia, best known for the pivotal Battle of al-Qadisiyyah fought nearby in 636 CE. This battle marked a decisive victory for the Muslim Arab forces against the Sassanid Persian Empire, leading to the Islamic conquest of Persia. Today, the site is commemorated as a symbol of early Islamic expansion and remains significant in regional history.
Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad refers to a major Egyptian sports club based in Alexandria, founded in 1914. It is best known for its football team, which has a long and storied history in Egyptian football, though it has never won the Egyptian Premier League title. The club has also been a significant part of Alexandria’s cultural and sporting identity for over a century.
Al-Ettifaq
Al-Ettifaq is a historic football club based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1944. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, having won multiple domestic titles, including the Saudi Professional League and the King’s Cup. The club is also known for its strong youth academy and has contributed significantly to the development of Saudi football.
Al-Najma
Al-Najma, meaning “The Star,” is a historic district in the city of Muharraq, Bahrain, known for its traditional architecture and cultural significance. It was once a thriving center for pearl diving and trade, with its name reflecting the area’s role as a guiding landmark for sailors. Today, it is a heritage site undergoing restoration, preserving its narrow alleyways, wind towers, and coral-stone buildings that tell the story of Bahrain’s pre-oil era.
Abha
Abha is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, known for its cool climate and mountainous terrain. Historically, it served as a key trading post and was later developed as a summer retreat, featuring traditional Asiri architecture like the colorful mud-brick buildings in the old quarter. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, celebrated for its parks, markets, and the nearby Al-Soudah National Park.
