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FIFA U-17 World Cup
Various camps have taken place since August with head coach Ahmed Al Hanfoosh given plenty of time to finetune his squad for the global showpiece.
Factfile
Previous participations: 4
Best finish: Champions (1989)
2025 Result: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finalists
Head coach: Ahmed Al Hanfoosh
Group D fixtures - Nov 19 v Uruguay; Nov 22 v France; Nov 25 v Haiti
Fun fact: The only Asian team to taste glory in the competition, Saudi Arabia conquered the tournament in 1989.
Previous participations: 4
Best finish: Champions (1989)
2025 Result: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finalists
Head coach: Ahmed Al Hanfoosh
Group D fixtures - Nov 19 v Uruguay; Nov 22 v France; Nov 25 v Haiti
Fun fact: The only Asian team to taste glory in the competition, Saudi Arabia conquered the tournament in 1989.
Al Hanfoosh was in charge of the team at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 in May, where they exited the competition at the quarter-final stage following 3-1 defeat to eventual runners-up China PR.
Regrouping the squad three months later in Taif, Al Hanfoosh had the chance to gauge his squad during an invitational tournament in Croatia in October where they played Algeria, Chile, Italy and Denmark.
Regrouping the squad three months later in Taif, Al Hanfoosh had the chance to gauge his squad during an invitational tournament in Croatia in October where they played Algeria, Chile, Italy and Denmark.
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Saudi Arabia have also squeezed in friendlies against Qatar where Abdulla Al Dawsari struck twice in a 2-0 win before being held to a goalless draw by Costa Rica.
With plenty of practice matches in place, expectations will be high that Saudi Arabia can do better than their group stage appearance last year, having lifted the coveted title in 1989.
Placed in a tough Group D, Saudi Arabia will kick off their campaign against Uruguay, then take on former champions France before concluding against Haiti.
With plenty of practice matches in place, expectations will be high that Saudi Arabia can do better than their group stage appearance last year, having lifted the coveted title in 1989.
Placed in a tough Group D, Saudi Arabia will kick off their campaign against Uruguay, then take on former champions France before concluding against Haiti.
