Saudi Arabia vs Egypt: Preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026

By Rohan Mehta / 27.03.2026

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have both secured their places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the two nations set to meet in a friendly match on March 27, 2026, at Alinma Bank Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This match will serve as an opportunity for both teams to test their depth without the pressure of competition.

Saudi Arabia finished at the top of their group in the AFC qualifiers, while Egypt topped Group A in the CAF qualification phase with an impressive 26 points, remaining unbeaten across 10 matches. The last encounter between the two teams saw Saudi Arabia emerge victorious, adding to the competitive history between these nations.

Historically, Egypt has had the upper hand in their head-to-head record, winning four matches against Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia has won two, with one match ending in a draw. However, Egypt is currently facing challenges, having lost their last two matches, while Saudi Arabia is also winless in their last two games.

Notably, Mohamed Salah, a key player for Egypt, will not be included in the squad due to injury, which could impact their performance. In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s predicted lineup includes Salem Aldawsari, who is expected to play a significant role in the match.

The friendly match is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 PM GMT (12:30 PM ET, 11:00 PM IST), and both teams will be looking to build momentum as they prepare for the World Cup. Observers are keen to see how each team adapts their strategies and lineups in this crucial test.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineups and any last-minute changes that may occur before the match.