Pakistan Ready to Take on Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Pakistan are placed in Group G with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tajikistan.
Pakistan team is gearing up to face off against Saudi Arabia in a crucial match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Round 2 here at the Jinnah Stadium of Pakistan Sports Complex on Thursday.
The match will begin at 8:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
Pakistani coach Stephen Constantine in a pre-match conference here, expressed his team’s readiness to take on the Saudi Arabian team, saying, “We are prepared to give them a tough time and make the most of this opportunity.”
We want to make the most of this opportunity: says Pakistan Coach Stephen Constantine.
Pakistani player Abdullah Iqbal echoed his coach’s sentiments, stating, “We are fully prepared and will give our best performance. We want to win, regardless of the circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian head coach Roberto Mancini, acknowledged the challenges of playing against Pakistan, saying, “All matches are difficult, and we are not taking the match against Pakistan lightly.”
Islamabad: Saudi national football team’s head coach Roberto Mancini said Wednesday they aim to secure three points against Pakistan and remain atop Group G of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi Arabian player Mukhtar Ali who was excited about playing against Green-shirts in Pakistan, said, “We have received a warm welcome, and we are eager to put on a good show.” The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams, determined to come out on top.
Pakistan will face Saudi Arabia on June 6 followed by an away fixture against Tajikistan on June 11 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan with Diaspora (D) players already joined the team.
Squads:
Pakistan
Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt (D), Saqib Hanif and Hassan Ali. Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal (D), Mohammad Fazal (D), Haseeb Khan, Rao Omer Hayat, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Saddam, Waqar Ihtisham, Moin Ahmed and Abdul Rehman.
Midfielders: Rahis Nabi (D), Otis Khan (D), Ali Uzair, Umair Ali, Toqeer ul Hassan, Alamgir Ghazi and Ali Zafar.
Forwards: Imran Kayani (D), McKeal Abdulah, Fareedulah, Adeel Younas and Shayak Dost.
Saudi Arabia:
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Owais, Ahmed Al-Kassar, Raghed Najjar, Mohammed Al-Yami, and Mohammed Al-Absi.
Defenders: Mutib Al-Harbi, Hassan Kadesh, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Aoun Al-Saluli, Ali Lagami, Hassan Al-Tumbakti, Saud Abdulhamid, and Mohammed Al-Buraik.
Midfielders: Mukhtar Ali, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Musab Al-Juwair, Mohammed Kanno, Rayan Hamed, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Faisal Al-Ghamdi, and Abbas Al-Hassan.
Forwards: Salem Al-Dawsari, Sami Al-Najai, Ayman Yahya, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Abdulrahman Gharib, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah Radif, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, and Firas Al-Burikan.
