Saudi Arabia’s national football team will begin their quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification by playing against Pakistan. This match is more than just a game; it’s a battle of determination and skill where the underdogs meet the seasoned.
With a legacy of six World Cup participations, the Saudi team is all set to ignite another triumphant World Cup qualifying streak. Pakistan, the spirited challengers, could start something special with a win against Saudi Arabia. A win for them isn’t just a victory; it’s a crucial first step towards their inaugural World Cup dream.
Saudi Arabia is a powerhouse in Asian football. The team boasts three Asian Cup victories and has participated in six FIFA World Cups since its 1994 debut. The nation is actively elevating its football standards by recruiting top European players and coaches, making the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season interesting for the whole world. Football enthusiasts worldwide want to see how this investment impacts their World Cup qualification and potential tournament performance.
Pakistan’s national team has never qualified for any major football tournament outside South Asia. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) recently appointed English coach Stephen Constantine to lead its national team. This move paid off, with the Falcons clinching their first victory in five years. They defeated Cambodia in the first playoff round to secure a spot in the current one with four teams in the group.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualification 2nd Stage, Group G, Round 1 |
| 🏟️Venue: | Abdullah Al-Dabil Stadium, Dammam, Saudi Arabia |
| 🗓️Date: | 16th November 2023 |
| ⏰Time: | 16:30 GMT on Thursday |
According to the latest football World Cup 2026 odds, Saudi Arabia is the home favorite with very low odds of 1.01 (1/100), while Pakistan is the underdog with huge odds of 90.00 (89/1), and the odds for a draw outcome is 23.00 (22/1). Bet real money on this.
As per the latest FIFA standings, Saudi Arabia’s national squad stands as the top team in Qualifying Group G. They proudly hold the 5th position in Asian football and the 57th spot on the global stage. Their recent friendly matches have shown some dips in form, but the team knows it’s time to reignite their spark and prove that their past victories were not mere flashes in the pan.
Having triumphed over Cambodia in the first round, Pakistan successfully advanced to the second round of qualifiers. To reach this stage, Pakistan had a draw in the first leg against Cambodia, followed by a narrow yet decisive 1-0 victory in the return leg. The solo goal was thanks to a spectacular strike from Harun Hamid in Islamabad. A win in the return leg marks their first international win since 2018.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan join Jordan and Tajikistan in Group G of the second qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. The group is yet to take any shape, as this is the first round of fixtures for all the teams. The best two teams will advance to the third round of the qualification after playing each other home and away.
Both teams will be meeting for the first time for an official football match in a quest to reach the final round of qualification and secure a ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
Here is our Saudi Arabia vs Pakistan betting predictions for the match.
2 (100%)
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Saudi Arabia’s national football team is a formidable contender in Asian football. As a result, Saudi Arabian betting sites significantly lean towards a victory for the hosts in this encounter. Yet, it’s improbable that they’ll score six goals in the upcoming match and keep a clean sheet simultaneously.
Consequently, our predictions include a handicap bet choice. Considering their latest showings, it seems unlikely that Saudi Arabia possesses the offensive strength to overpower Pakistan with a six-goal difference.
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(100%) 2
Saudi Arabia might be a far stronger football team than Pakistan, but we don’t expect the visitors to enter the match without a fight. Considering that qualification for a major tournament will be at stake, we foresee both teams getting the scoresheet. The recent poor form of Saudi conceding 13 goals in their last six friendly matches also indicates that they might be unable to keep a clean sheet in this contest. Bet on football online for this option at 3.90 (3/1) odds.
2 (100%)
0
The Saudi National team will likely strike early in this matchup with their dominant gameplay. They will seek to disrupt the Pakistani team’s rhythm and prevent them from settling into the game. By unleashing their full force right from the start, they aim to avoid surprises from their lower-ranked opponents. Expect an early goal, possibly within the match’s first ten minutes, as they assert their supremacy on the field.
Mancini recently appointed Yaya Touré as his assistant coach in preparation for the task ahead. The gaffer also opted for young talents instead of experience in his newly released 28-man squad for the game.
Pakistan will be without their skipper, Easah Sulimon, after sustaining injury in the Azerbaijan League. Imran Kayani could debut for the Falcons, while Mohammad Waheed and Moin Ahmad are unavailable for this contest due to indiscipline.
It should be a comfortable bet win for the superior Saudi Arabia national team. Enjoy the game on live stream and win with our Saudi Arabia vs Pakistan betting tips by placing a bet on any online bets.
