AFC · Asia
Saudi Arabia
Green Falcons — Conquerors of Argentina
Saudi Arabia's Green Falcons delivered one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when they beat Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 tournament — a goal so famous it triggered a national holiday. Three AFC Asian Cup titles and a golden generation of players make Saudi Arabia one of Asia's most exciting football stories.
🎸Hey, I am Ace!
Hey! I'm Ace! I'll never forget watching Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup — it was one of the greatest upsets in football history! The whole country declared a national holiday! The Green Falcons are one of Asia's greatest teams and I love their fighting spirit!
Quick Facts
Nickname
Green Falcons / Al-Suqoor Al-Akhadhar
Confederation
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
AFC Asian Cup Wins
3 — 1984, 1988, 1996
Best World Cup Result
Round of 16 (1994 USA)
Famous Victory
Beat Argentina 2-1 at 2022 World Cup
Saudi Pro League
Home to global stars including Ronaldo and Benzema
Discover Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the fifth largest in Asia, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a land of vast deserts — including the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest continuous sand desert — dramatic sandstone mountains, fertile oases, and a long coastline on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The country is home to two of Islam's most holy cities: Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, and Medina, where the Prophet is buried.
Saudi Arabia has the world's second largest proven oil reserves and is the world's largest oil exporter. Oil was discovered in the 1930s and transformed the country from a largely nomadic society into one of the wealthiest nations on Earth within a few decades. Today, Saudi Arabia is pursuing a dramatic transformation through Vision 2030 — an ambitious plan to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and develop tourism, entertainment, technology, and sport.
With a population of around 35 million people (including a large expatriate workforce), Saudi Arabia is investing billions in becoming a global destination for sport and entertainment. The kingdom has hosted major boxing events, Formula 1 races, golf tournaments, and significantly increased its involvement in football — hosting the Saudi Pro League with global superstars and bidding to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Riyadh, the capital, is one of the world's fastest-growing cities.
Map of Saudi Arabia
🌍 Where in the World
Flag of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's flag features a green background with the Shahada — the Islamic declaration of faith ("There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah") — written in white Arabic script, and a white sword below it. The green represents Islam, and the sword symbolises the strict justice enforced under Islamic law. It is one of the few national flags that is never flown at half-mast, as the Shahada must always be shown in its full glory.
⚽ The History of Football in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of Asia's most successful football nations, having won the AFC Asian Cup three times — in 1984, 1988, and 1996 — and qualified for six FIFA World Cups. The Green Falcons are considered one of the standard-bearers of Arab football, with a history of producing outstanding technical players and achieving remarkable results against the world's best teams.
The 1994 World Cup in the USA brought Saudi Arabia's greatest international result when they reached the Round of 16. In the group stage, they delivered a stunning 2-1 victory over Belgium — and Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the most famous individual goals in World Cup history, running from inside his own half to beat four Belgian players before slotting home.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia produced what many consider the greatest single match upset in World Cup history: defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 when Argentina were considered amongst the tournament favourites. The goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari sent shockwaves around the world. Saudi Arabia's King declared a national public holiday — and it was entirely deserved.
Key Results
- 1994Round of 16 (USA)
- 1998Group Stage (France)
- 2002Group Stage (Japan/Korea)
- 2006Group Stage (Germany)
- 2018Group Stage (Russia)
- 2022Group Stage — beat Argentina 2-1
3
AFC Asian Cup titles — 1984, 1988, and 1996 — making Saudi Arabia one of Asia's most decorated nations
✨ Did You Know?
National Holiday for Argentina Win
When Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup, the King of Saudi Arabia declared the next day a national public holiday. Football had united the entire country in celebration. It is one of the most extraordinary reactions to a football result in sporting history.
Al-Owairan's Solo Goal of the Century
At the 1994 World Cup, Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the greatest World Cup goals ever — collecting the ball inside his own half and dribbling past four Belgian defenders before finishing. It was voted one of the greatest goals in World Cup history and remains a source of enormous Saudi pride.
Saudi Pro League Stars
The Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the biggest names in football history — including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar. This investment has raised the profile of Saudi football worldwide and inspired a new generation of Saudi players to aspire to the highest level.
🌟 Famous Players
Saudi Arabia has produced players who have achieved some of football's most iconic moments — from Al-Owairan's solo goal to Al-Dawsari's Argentina winner.
Sami Al-Jaber
1992–2006Saudi Arabia's most celebrated player for much of their history — a quick, technically brilliant forward who was the face of Saudi football across three World Cups. He played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in England and was a hero of the golden era of Green Falcons football.
Mohammed Al-Deayea
1990–2006Once the most capped goalkeeper in football history with 178 international appearances — a world record at the time. Al-Deayea was a commanding, agile goalkeeper who represented Saudi Arabia across four World Cups, making countless crucial saves for the Green Falcons.
Saeed Al-Owairan
1990–1998The scorer of one of the greatest goals in World Cup history — his solo effort against Belgium at the 1994 World Cup won the FIFA Goal of the Tournament. Al-Owairan was one of the most gifted creative players Saudi Arabia has ever produced.
Salem Al-Dawsari
2014–presentThe hero of the greatest World Cup upset of the modern era — Salem Al-Dawsari scored the winning goal against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup with an extraordinary curling shot into the top corner. It is one of the most famous goals in Saudi football history and sealed a national holiday.
Yasser Al-Qahtani
2003–2013Saudi Arabia's most prolific scorer of the modern era — known as 'The Tiger' for his pace and clinical finishing. Al-Qahtani won the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 with his club Al-Hilal and was a constant threat for the Green Falcons across a decade of international football.
Salman Al-Faraj
2011–presentThe captain and heartbeat of modern Saudi Arabia — a technically excellent midfielder who provides control, creativity, and leadership. Al-Faraj has been Saudi Arabia's most consistent performer of the 2010s and 2020s, winning domestic titles with Al-Hilal and excelling at international level.
📰 Recent Events
World Cup — Beat Argentina!
Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time — defeating Argentina 2-1 with goals from Al-Shehri and Al-Dawsari. Argentina were among the tournament favourites. Saudi Arabia's King declared a national public holiday. Football was never more exciting.
AFC Asian Cup Quarter-final
Saudi Arabia competed strongly at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, reaching the quarter-final stages and showing the quality that makes them one of Asia's leading football nations.
Saudi Pro League — Global Destination
The Saudi Pro League continued its rapid rise as a global football destination, with world-famous players competing in the league. This investment is raising standards across Saudi football and inspiring the national team players.
2026 World Cup Qualification
Saudi Arabia are competing in the AFC third round of World Cup qualification, targeting a seventh World Cup appearance. With a squad inspired by the 2022 Argentina victory, the Green Falcons are one of Asia's strongest qualification contenders.
Explore More Football Nations
Saudi Arabia's Green Falcons — from Al-Owairan's 1994 solo masterpiece to Al-Dawsari's Argentina winner in 2022 — are one of football's most exciting stories. Three Asian Cup titles, World Cup heroes, and a nation that declared a public holiday for football. Explore more amazing football nations!