Saudi Team reaches Pakistan for FIFA WC 2026 Qualifier

The Saudi Arabia national football team has arrived in Pakistan ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match scheduled to take place on June 6 at Jinnah Stadium. The team, accompanied by their renowned manager Roberto Mancini and assistant coach Yaya Toure, landed in Islamabad on a chartered flight from Riyadh.

Upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport, the Saudi squad was warmly welcomed by Pakistani officials and KSA ambassador Nawaf Bin-Said Al-Malki.

The Saudi team’s trip was delayed due to the inadequate condition of Jinnah Stadium and the lack of proper training fields. Initially planned to depart from Islamabad two days before the match, their departure was postponed to just one day prior to the game.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan football team has announced their squad for the eagerly anticipated match. The team will be bolstered by the inclusion of 18-year-old striker McKeal Abdullah, who plays for Mansfield Town in EFL League Two, though his club will compete in EFL League One in the upcoming 2024–25 season after securing promotion.

However, Blackburn Rovers U21 goalkeeper Adam Khan, who had been called up for the training camp, did not make the final squad. Star winger Otis Khan and left-back Mohammad Fazal have also returned to the Pakistan team for this crucial fixture. Notably absent will be captain and star defender Easah Suliman, who is unavailable as he is performing Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Pakistan currently sits at the bottom of Group G, having lost all four matches they have played so far. Their campaign began with a 4-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Al-Ahsa in November, followed by a 6-1 loss to Tajikistan in Islamabad the same month. They were then defeated 3-0 by Jordan in Islamabad during Ramadan, and suffered a 7-0 loss in the reverse fixture in Amman.

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