Saleh Al-Shehri

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Saleh Al-Shehri, the Saudi Arabian striker, continues to be a central figure for both his club, Al-Ittihad, and the Saudi national team as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. His prospects are shaped by his goal-scoring ability, recent club performances, and a recent injury, alongside his established role within the national squad.

2026 FIFA World Cup Prospects and Analysis:

Al-Shehri, born on November 1, 1993, will be 32 years old during the 2026 World Cup, an age where experience can be a significant asset for a striker. He has proven his capability on the international stage, notably scoring Saudi Arabia's equalizer against Argentina in their historic 2-1 victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His seven goals in 13 appearances during the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign and four goals in five qualifiers in the second round for the 2026 World Cup underscore his importance to the Green Falcons' attacking lineup.

His playing style is characterized by intelligent link-up play, movement behind opposition defenses, and natural finishing ability, which seems to suit the national team's system. Despite facing competition from other Saudi strikers like Firas Al Buraikan, national team coaches have reiterated their faith in Al-Shehri, viewing him as a key player crucial for their World Cup hopes. He has consistently been a prolific scorer for Saudi Arabia, with 18 goals in 53 international caps.

The Saudi national team faces significant challenges in their 2026 World Cup group, emphasizing the need for full preparation and high focus, a sentiment echoed by Al-Shehri himself. His experience and proven ability to perform in crucial matches will be vital for Saudi Arabia's qualification bid and potential performance in the tournament.

Latest News:

In recent months, Saleh Al-Shehri has experienced both a return to form and some injury setbacks:

• Club Form: In November 2024, Al-Shehri was highlighted for finding form at Al-Ittihad, chipping in with three goals despite starting only two of his eight league appearances. This form made him particularly integral to the national team's 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes. He notably scored the winner in the "Sea Derby" against Al Ahli and opened the scoring against Al Orobah.
• Injury and Return: In late May 2025, Al-Shehri returned to full training for Al-Ittihad after being sidelined since April 17 with a hamstring injury sustained during a match against Al-Fateh. He missed five games during his recovery.
• Recent Injury Setback: More recently, in December 2025, Al-Shehri was ruled out of the remainder of the 26th Gulf Cup after sustaining a muscle injury during the Green Falcons' opening match against Bahrain. This was considered a significant blow to the squad.
• Arab Cup Performance: In December 2025, he came off the bench to score the winning goal for Saudi Arabia against Oman in the FIFA Arab Cup, expressing his enjoyment of playing in Qatar, the same country where he scored against Argentina in the last World Cup.

Al-Shehri currently plays as a striker for Al-Ittihad, having joined the club on July 22, 2024, with his contract expiring on June 30, 2027. He is listed with 4 goals in 24 appearances for Al-Ittihad in the 2024-2025 season. His ability to recover from injuries and maintain his goal-scoring touch will be crucial for his continued inclusion and impact for the Saudi national team on their road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.