Saudi Arabia return to the World Cup this summer after a 12-year hiatus but will enter the competition as a side expected to be eliminated at the first opportunity.
Drawn in Group A with Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, although the Asian nation have avoided one of the traditional heavy hitters, they will not be given much chance of progressing by outsiders.
However, some positive signs in qualifying suggest that Saudi Arabia should not be completely written off.
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 World Cup Group Matches
Russia vs Saudi Arabia, 14 June 2018, 4pm UK time
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia, 20 June 2018, 4pm UK time
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt, June 25 2018, 3pm UK time
Saudi Arabia 2018 World Cup Squad
Apart from three of the Saudi midfielders, who have been sent out to Spanish clubs on loan ahead of the World Cup in slightly odd circumstances, the remainder of the squad ply their trade in their homeland.