FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, Saudi Arabia Team Reaches Pakistan

The Saudi Arabia football team has landed in Pakistan to partake in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, scheduled to take place at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.

Led by the esteemed manager Roberto Mancini and aided by former footballer Yaya Toure, the Saudi squad received a warm welcome from Pakistani officials and the Saudi Arabian ambassador Nawaf Bin-Said Al-Malki upon their arrival at Islamabad International Airport.

Originally planning to arrive two days before the match, the Saudi team had to adjust their schedule due to inadequate training facilities and the substandard condition of Jinnah Stadium. Consequently, they arrived just a day prior to the much-anticipated fixture.

Pakistan Football Team Unveiled Its Squad on Tuesday

Meanwhile, the struggling Pakistan football team unveiled its squad on Tuesday. Notable inclusions are 18-year-old striker McKeal Abdullah, currently playing for Mansfield Town in EFL League Two, and the return of star winger Otis Khan and left-back Mohammad Fazal, providing a welcomed boost.

However, the absence of Blackburn Rovers U21 goalkeeper Adam Khan from the final lineup is notable. Furthermore, the team will be without the services of captain and star defender Easah Suliman, who will be on the annual Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj.

Also Read: Pakistan’s Volleyball Team Clean Sweeps Over Australia

Pakistan, positioned at the bottom of Group G, is yet to secure a win in their four matches. Their journey began with a 4-0 loss against Saudi Arabia in Al-Ahsa, followed by a 6-1 defeat to Tajikistan in Islamabad.

Subsequent matches saw Pakistan suffer a 3-0 loss to Jordan in Islamabad and a 7-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Amman International Stadium.

Following their match against Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is slated to face Tajikistan in their final group match of the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

The arrival of the Saudi team and the announcement of Pakistan’s lineup set the stage for an electrifying encounter at Jinnah Stadium. Both teams are gearing up for a crucial match in their World Cup qualifying journey, promising an exciting spectacle for football fans.