Saudi Arabia HubSalem Al-Dossari, the captain of the Saudi Arabia national team, has refused to retire from international football after the team's early exit from the 2026 World Cup. The exit came after Saudi Arabia collected only two points in the group stage.
What happened in the World Cup?
Saudi Arabia's early exit from the 2026 World Cup came after two draws with Uruguay and Cape Verde, and a heavy defeat to Spain with a clean four-goal margin.
Why does Al-Dossari refuse to retire?
Salem Al-Dossari is eager to lead the Saudi Arabia national team in the upcoming Gulf Cup and Asian Nations Cup, which will be hosted by the Kingdom at the end of this year and the beginning of next year.
What's next after the World Cup?
| Tournament | Date |
|---|---|
| Gulf Cup | End of 2026 |
| Asian Nations Cup | Beginning of 2027 |
The last match of the Saudi Arabia national team before the World Cup had ended in a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates on December 18, 2025. The recent form of the Saudi Arabia national team has been: - Last 5 matches: 1W-1D-3L (DLLWL, most recent first)
