In 2022, Saudi Arabia pulled off perhaps the biggest surprise of the World Cup: a 2-1 victory over Argentina, the eventual world champions. Under the guidance of experienced coach Hervé Renard, who returned from managing the French women’s national team in 2024, the team is set to pull off another upset in 2026.

Coach Herve Donis has named three goalkeepers for the Green Falcons: Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, and Ahmed Al-Kassar. Saudi Arabia will face Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Spain in Group H. The trio represents three very different stages of their careers, but they share a common history: All three were part of the immediate circle around the squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though only Al-Owais played. Four years later, the picture is different, and the question of who will be the number one is more interesting than ever.

Al-Owais is 34 years old, was born in Al-Hasa, and is the man whose name will forever be linked to one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history. On November 22, 2022, he stood in goal against Argentina, made several saves against Messi and his teammates, conceded no further goals after the early deficit, and was named Man of the Match in Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory. Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten streak was over. Rumor has it that the entire team was subsequently gifted a Rolls-Royce.

What has happened since then is more complicated. At Al-Hilal, he slipped to the bench behind the younger Abdullah Al-Mayuf, making only a few league appearances in 2023–24 and 2024–25. In July 2025, he left Al-Hilal on a free transfer and joined Al-Ula in the Saudi First Division League, the second division, where he has been playing regularly again this season and has made 25 league appearances with ten clean sheets. Donis’s decision to name him the number one despite the team’s relegation is based on experience, leadership qualities, and trust in a man who helped Saudi Arabia create a sensation at the 2022 World Cup. With over 60 international caps and three AFC Champions League titles with Al-Hilal, he is the most experienced goalkeeper in the trio, regardless of his current club situation.

Al-Aqidi is 26 years old, was born in Riyadh, and is a product of the Al-Nassr Academy, where he has been under contract since 2019, currently through 2028. The plan was clear: after loan spells at Al-Tai and Al-Fateh, he was supposed to develop into Al-Nassr’s number one. But with Cristiano Ronaldo and other world-class imports on the roster, the club opted for Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, who was chosen over Al-Aqidi. This season, Al-Aqidi has made twelve league appearances, mainly when Bento is resting or being rotated. With 22 international appearances since 2023, he is the second-most experienced goalkeeper on the national team; he possesses the physical attributes and tactical understanding of a modern goalkeeper and is significantly more established at the international level than at the club level. This World Cup is his second after Qatar 2022 and an opportunity to show what he can do on the biggest stage.

Al-Kassar is 34 years old, hails from Qatif, and has taken one of the most unlikely paths to the World Cup squad. For more than a decade, he played for Al-Raed, Al-Ettifaq, and Al-Faisaly without ever catching the national team’s eye. He didn’t make his national team debut until 2024, at over 32 years old. What stood out along the way: At Al-Faisaly, he became only the fifth goalkeeper in the history of the Saudi Professional League to record an assist after moving upfield on a corner kick, contrary to his coach’s instructions. He has been playing for Al-Qadsiah since January 2024 and is the team’s starting goalkeeper. This season, he has appeared in 20 league matches. The World Cup is his first—and likely only—at this level.