Saudi Arabia are gearing up to face Indonesia in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday. The Green Falcons, managed by Roberto Mancini, seek their third consecutive World Cup appearance. Despite a rocky start, Saudi Arabia is determined to earn three crucial points against the lower-ranked Indonesia.
Saudi Arabia’s Journey and Challenges
Roberto Mancini, who guided Italy to Euro 2020 victory, leads the Saudi team. His tenure started with four winless games, increasing pressure for better results. Recent performances have been inconsistent. Saudi Arabia lost 2-1 to Jordan and drew with Tajikistan, affecting their rankings. The Green Falcons need a strong opening win to lead Group C, which also includes Japan, Australia, China, and Bahrain.
Indonesia’s Road to the Third Round
Ranked 133rd globally, Indonesia advanced after defeating Brunei 12-0 on aggregate. They also won against Vietnam and the Philippines. Despite their impressive previous rounds, Indonesia faces a challenging group with more experienced teams. Their last World Cup appearance was 86 years ago as the Dutch East Indies. They need to defy the odds to progress further.
Key Players and Lineups
Saudi Arabia’s lineup remains mostly unchanged, featuring key players like Salem Al-Dawsari and Saud Abdulhamid. Indonesia have added Dutch-based players, including goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who recently obtained citizenship. However, they will miss Jordi Amat and Elkan Baggott due to suspension and injury.
Predicted Lineups:
Saudi Arabia (4-3-3):
Mohammed Al-Owais – Saud Abdulhamid, Ali Lajami, Ali Al-Bulayhi, Moteb Al-Harbi – Faisal Al-Ghamdi, Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari – Salem Al-Dawsari, Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdulrahman Ghareeb
Indonesia (3-5-2):
Paes – Ridho, Idzes, Hubner – Mangkualam, Ferdinand, Haye, Tjoe-a-On, Verdok – Struick, Oratmangoen.
History Repeats Itself?
The two teams have a long history, with Saudi Arabia dominating the head-to-head record. The Green Falcons have won 12 of their 14 encounters, with two matches ending in draws.
As the overwhelming favorites, Saudi Arabia is expected to secure a comfortable victory. However, Indonesia’s recent success against lower-ranked teams could pose a challenge.
