World Cup Homepage | View Group Tables | Week 1 | Week 2
![]() |
1-Mohammed Al-Daeyea (Al-Hilal) Born: 2.8.72
Goalkeepers
Claims to have played 168 international matches, although that figure has not been officially verified by FIFA. Followed in the footsteps of his brother Abdullah by winning the Asian Cup in 1996. Also won the Gulf Cup in 1994 and 2002. A good shot-stopper and the backbone of the team, Mohammed played in the side that won the world youth cup and which formed the basis of the squad that got the Saudis to their first World Cup finals in 1994. Has won best Asian goalkeeper award several times. Playing in his third World Cup, which he has said will be his last.
22-Mohammed Khojali Babkr (Al-Nassr) Born: 15.1.73 <
Tall, dominant player but can be reluctant to claim crosses. Stood in for the injured Al-Daeyea at the start of the final phase of the World Cup qualifiers and during the 2002 Gulf Cup, which Saudi Arabia won at home.
21-Mabrouk Zaid (Al-Ittihad): Born: 11.2.79
A member of the 2002 Gulf Cup squad as a back-up goalkeeper.
Defenders
13-Hussein Sulimani (Al-Ahli) Born: 23.1.77
Versatile player who usually plays left-back but can play anywhere on the left side or in central midfield and has even featured up front for his club Al-Ahli.
3-Redha Tukar (Al-Shabab) Born: 29.11.75
Played his part in the World Cup qualifiers but not an automatic first choice. Will be jostling for a starting place.
5-Mohsin Harthi (Al-Nassr) Born: 15.8.76
Part of the squad since the Confederations Cup in 1999 and scored once during the World Cup qualifiers. A danger at set plays.
6-Fouzi Al-Shehri (Al-Ahli) Born: 15.5.80
Won under-20 honours before making his full international debut. Likes to get forward when possible and has a powerful shot.
12-Ahmed Dukhi Al-Dossary (Al-Hilal) Born: 25.10.76
Right-back who likes to get forward on the overlap thereby giving the Saudi team more attacking options with his accurate crosses. Broke into the team at the Asian Cup in Lebanon in 2000 and replaced regular right-back Mohammad Al-Jahani.
2-Mohammed Al-Jahani (Al-Ahli) Born: 28.9.75
Provides cover at right back and, like first-choice Al-Dossary, likes to get forward to support the strikers. Has won best Asian right-back award.
23-Mansour Al-Thaqafi (Al-Nassr) Born: 14.1.79
Pacy winger whose trickery won him his first cap last month.
4-Abdullah Sulaiman Zubromawi (Al-Hilal) Born: 15.11.73
Solid defender and backbone of the defence for the past five years after breaking into the team during the qualifiers for France 98. First impressed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and won the Asian Cup in the same year.
Midfielders 8-Mohammed Noor (Al-Ittihad) Born: 26.7.78
A key member of his club's midfield during their championship success last season. Strong in the tackle and accurate with his passing. On the fringes of a starting place at the finals.
16-Khamis al-Owairan (Al-Ittihad) Born: 8.9.73
A member of the squad in France four years ago but, despite his experience, will only be among the substitutes.
17-Abdallah Al-Waked (Al-Shabab) Born: 29.9.75 .
Broke into the team during the World Cup qualifiers after being on the fringes at the Asian Cup in Lebanon. Unlikely to be first choice at the World Cup if all key players are fit.
10-Mohammad Al-Shlhoub (Al-Hilal) Born 9.12.80
Known as 'Baby Maradona' in Saudi Arabia. Discovered during Lebanon 2000 when he was a member of the squad that reached the Asian Cup final. A slightly-built but tricky winger who has become one of the country's great hopes. Plays on the left from where he both creates and scores goals. Featured in the World Cup qualifiers but injury kept him out of the 2002 Gulf Cup. Just 22, he looks a bright prospect.
14-Abdulaziz Al-Khathran (Al-Shabab) Born: 31.7.73
Still waiting for his first cap at the age of 28 but has featured for his club at the world club championship.
19-Omar Al-Ghamdi (Al-Hilal) Born: 11.9.79
Replaced injured club team mate Khamis al-Dossary in a defensive midfield role during the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon and is now ever-present. Strong in the tackle and a quality passer who should marshall the team from a deep-lying position in front of the back four for years to come.
7-Ibrahim Al-Sharani (Al-Ahli) Born: 21.7.74
Long-standing squad member who rarely gets a starting place. Scored the goal against Qatar in 1997 that clinched a place at the France finals in 1998.
Forwards 9-Sami Al-Jaber (Al-Hilal) Born: 11.12.72
Reportedly a veteran of 148 internationals scoring 38 goals. Won the best Asian player of the month several times and had a brief spell with English first division club Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning home to lead his club to victory in the Asian Cup Winners Cup. Usually plays as the second striker but has declared that his third finals will be his last.
18-Nawaf Al-Temyat (Al-Hilal) Born: 26.6.76
A veteran of France 98 who has improved since then. He is the creative hub of the team and can also score goals, particularly from long range. Asian Player of the Year in 2000 but missed the
World Cup qualifiers with a knee injury. Returned early this year and has since been linked with a move to Europe. Followed his older brothers Safood and Mohammed by playing for both Al-Hilal, who he joined at 15, and the national team.
20-Hassan Al-Yami (Al-Ittihad) Born: 21.8.72
A late find while studying at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and playing for second division club Nigeriana. The 30-year-old was used as a substitute in the World Cup qualifiers in a similar deep-lying forward role to that favoured by Al-Jaber and likely to fill the same role at the finals.
15-Abdullah Jumaan (Al-Hilal) Born: 10.11.77
Strong and pacy forward renowned for his powerful shooting from distance. Played with distinction in the World Cup qualifiers but likely to be used as a substitute in the finals when his physical presence can be used to change the game.
11-Obeid Al-Dossary (Al-Ahli) Born: 2.10.75
A member of the France 98 squad, though he only made one appearance from the bench, the skilful striker first came to prominence in qualifying for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Now a regular first-choice who was second top scorer with 10 goals in 12 appearances during the World Cup qualifiers.