Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan

15.11.2023 - 11:03 arabnews.com

On Thursday, it will be six days short of one year since Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup.

It also marks the start of qualification campaign for the 2026 tournament at home against Pakistan, with a tricky trip to Jordan to follow on Nov.

21. Tomorrow’s opposition may not be as glamorous as the South Americans, who went all the way to lift the trophy, but nothing short of three points will be acceptable.

The standard of opponent for this first-time meeting is not the only thing that has changed from year ago, with Herve Renard having left in March to take over the France women’s team.

Football soccer Women Saudi Pro League cup on qualifiers as Roberto Mancini Steven Gerrard Qatar France Italy Usa Argentina Mali Saudi Arabia Jordan Nigeria Pakistan South Korea Costa Rica Yemen

RIYADH: The journey toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with Asia’s big guns kick-starting their campaigns over the past week.

What a year: How Saudi football has flourished since World Cup win over Argentina

On Nov. 22, 2022, Saudi Arabia’s footballers pulled off a sporting miracle.

Al-Shehri stars again as Saudi Arabia prove too good for Jordan

Saleh Al-Shehri starred for the second time in five days as Saudi Arabia won 2-0 in Jordan on Tuesday to maintain their perfect start to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Son scores twice as S. Korea outclass China in World Cup qualifier

HONG KONG: Skipper Son Heung-min scored a brace as South Korea made it two wins from two games in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 victory away in China on Tuesday. Son silenced a sell-out crowd of more than 40,000 in Shenzhen with two goals in the first half, the first a penalty and the second a clever header from a corner just before half-time. South Korea wrapped the game up in the dying minutes through a bullet header by Jung Seung-hyun — from a Son set-piece — and top Group C with a perfect six points. Jurgen Klinsmann’s side thumped Singapore 5-0 last week to begin their qualifying campaign in style and they were in much the same mood against an outclassed China. With attacker Son looking in the groove, the Koreans dominated and were ahead after 11 minutes. Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan was brought down in the box and Tottenham Hotspur’s Son duly stroked home the penalty. It was all South Korea.

Roberto Mancini ready for tough test as Saudi Arabia face Jordan in World Cup qualifier

Saudi Arabia have a golden chance to open an early lead at the top of Group G of the Asian Qualifiers to the 2026 Fifa World Cup when they take on Jordan on Tuesday in their second game of the group.

Mancini expecting ‘tough match’ against Jordan

RIYADH: Saudi coach Roberto Mancini said that he is expecting a ‘tough match’ against Jordan in Amman.