Islamabad: Saudi Arabia football team has arrived in Pakistan to compete in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.

Squad, led by renowned manager Roberto Mancini and assisted by former footballer Yaya Toure, was warmly received by Pakistan officials and Saudi Arabian Ambassador Nawaf Bin-Said Al-Malki upon their arrival at Islamabad International Airport.Saudi team, which had initially planned to arrive in Islamabad two days before match, was forced to reschedule due to lack of proper training facilities and subpar condition of Jinnah Stadium. They ultimately arrived day before highly anticipated fixture. Meanwhile, Pakistan football team, which has been struggling in qualifiers, named their squad on Tuesday. Team will feature 18-year-old striker McKeal Abdullah, who currently plays for Mansfield Town in EFL League Two and will be competing in EFL League One in upcoming season following his club’s promotion. Notably absent from squad is Blackburn Rovers U21 goalkeeper Adam Khan, who was excluded from final lineup.

Star winger Otis Khan and left-back Mohammad Fazal have made their return to team, providing much-needed boost. However, team will miss services of captain and star defender Easah Suliman, who will be on annual Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj. Pakistan, currently at bottom of Group G, has yet to secure win in their four matches. Their campaign began with 4-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in Al-Ahsa in November, followed by 6-1 loss to Tajikistan at Islamabad.Subsequent matches saw them suffer 3-0 defeat to Jordan during Ramadhan in Islamabad and 7-0 loss in reverse fixture at Amman International Stadium. Following match against Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will face Tajikistan in their final group match of second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt (D), Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal (D), M ohammad Fazal (D), Haseeb Khan, Rao Omer Hayat, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Saddam, Waqar Ihtisham, Moin Ahmed, Abdul Rehman Midfielders: Rahis Nabi (D), Otis Khan (D), Ali Uzair, Umair Ali, Toqeer ul Hassan, Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Zafar