Salem Al-Dawsari

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Salem Al-Dawsari, the influential winger and captain for both Al-Hilal and the Saudi Arabia national team, maintains strong prospects for the FIFA World Cup 2026, driven by his continued high-level performance and recent accolades. At 34 years old (as of December 2025), he remains a central figure in Saudi football.

Analysis of FIFA World Cup 2026 Prospects:

Al-Dawsari's inclusion in FIFA's 2025 "The Best" World 11 expanded shortlist highlights his sustained presence among the world's elite players, underscoring the growing stature of Saudi football. He has been a consistent performer, known for his "electrifying pace, technical brilliance, and match-winning mentality."

His recent statistics demonstrate his ongoing impact. In the 2025/2026 Professional League season, Al-Dawsari has scored 2 goals in 7 matches, playing 619 minutes. He averages 0.58 assists per 90 minutes and has a total of 6 goals + assists (G/A) for the season, equating to 0.87 G/A per 90 minutes. His Non-Penalty xG per 90 minutes stands at 0.31, placing him in the top 84 percentile of Professional League players. In the 2024/2025 season, he recorded an impressive 10 goals in the AFC Champions League Elite, becoming the first Saudi player to win its Golden Boot. He also achieved 100 appearances in Asia's top club competition and registered 26 goals and 18 assists in 2024/25.

Al-Dawsari has a proven track record in major international tournaments, having scored in both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. Notably, he scored the winning goal against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. His continued involvement in the 2026 World Cup qualification matches, including his 100th international appearance in a 3-2 win over Indonesia in October 2025, further solidifies his importance to the national team.

Despite his age, his consistent performance, leadership as captain, and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations suggest he will be a strong contender for a spot in the Saudi Arabia squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Latest News:

• FIFA "The Best" World 11 Nomination (November 2025): Salem Al-Dawsari was named in the expanded shortlist for FIFA's 2025 "The Best" World 11, the only Saudi player on the list.
• AFC Player of the Year (October 2025): He secured his second AFC Player of the Year award, becoming the first Saudi player to achieve this feat.
• 100th International Appearance (October 2025): Al-Dawsari made his 100th international appearance for Saudi Arabia in a 3-2 victory over Indonesia during the 2026 World Cup qualification fourth round.
• Contract Situation and Transfer Rumors (May 2025): His contract with Al-Hilal is set to expire at the end of the current season (2025-2026). While Al-Ahli had expressed that they were not currently interested in officially signing him, his name has been linked with a potential move to Saudi club NEOM.
• Hamstring Injury (June 2025): Al-Hilal captain Al-Dawsari was reported to be out of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury.
• Top Asian Goalscorer in Club World Cup (June 2025): Al-Dawsari became the top Asian goalscorer in the history of the Club World Cup with 5 goals, surpassing Tsukasa Shiotani, after scoring in a 2-0 win over Mexican club Pachuca.