Midfielder Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and defender Zakaria Hawsawi were omitted from Saudi Arabia’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup, taking place this month in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Abu Al-Shamat, 23, has made 11 appearances for the Saudi national team and was part of the Al-Ahli side that won the AFC Champions League. Notably, the final squad includes his twin brother, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, a defender for Al-Qadsiah.

Al-Ahli defender Zakaria Hawsawi, 25, was also left out of the final squad.

On Monday, newly appointed Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis of Greece announced a 26-man squad that will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.

Saudi players for the 2026 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia suffered a 2–1 defeat to Ecuador in a friendly match on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, as both teams continued their preparations for the World Cup.

The match marked the first outing of the Green Falcons under new head coach Georgios Donis, who took over last month following the dismissal of French manager Hervé Renard due to a string of disappointing results.

Veteran goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais started the match, while substitute Sultan Mandash scored in the 87th minute to reduce the deficit.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to play two more friendly matches before the start of the World Cup, facing Puerto Rico on June 5 before taking on Senegal four days later in Texas.

For now, Abdullah Al-Salem and goalkeepers Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi and Abdulquddus Atiah will remain with the national team's training camp. Under tournament regulations, any player included in the final squad may be replaced up to 24 hours before the team's opening match if an injury prevents him from participating in the competition.

Tournament regulations further permit the replacement of a goalkeeper who suffers an injury at any point during the competition.

Saudi players. (X)

Here is Saudi Arabia's Final List for the 2026 World Cup

• Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Ahmed Al-Kassar

• Defenders: Abdulelah Al-Amri, Hassan  Al Tambakti, Jehad Thakri, Ali Lajami, Hassan Kadesh, Saud Abdulhamid, Mohammed Aboulshamat, Ali Majrashi, Moteb Al-Harbi, Nawaf Boushal

• Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Ziyad Al-Johani, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Musab Aljuwayr, Alaa Hejji, Salem Aldawsari, Ayman Yahya
  

• Attackers: Khalid Al-Ghannam, Sultan Mandash, Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri, Abdullah Al-Hamdan.