SAUDI ARABIA

Appearances: 4

Best finish: Last 16 (1994) Manager: Juan Antonio Pizzi Star player: Mohammad Al Sahlawi

With three managers since September, the tournament’s lowest ranked side haven’t exactly had the best stability heading into a World Cup. Coach Bert van Marwijk left as soon as he confirmed their qualification. Edgardo Bauza then took over for all of five friendlies, before the appointment of incumbent Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Spaniard Pizzi must have had some sway in sending three midfielders Yahya Al Shehri, Salem Al Dawsari and Fahad Al Muwallad out on loan to Spanish sides Leganes, Villarreal and Levante respectively, in January.

However, not only was that attempt to fast track their development in time for the World Cup a classic case of too little too late, it also left them severely lacking match practice with all three yet to get a game in Spain.

The main thing going for Saudi are the goals of Mohammad Al Sahlawi, who scored 16 (the joint most in global qualifying) in a fortunate qualifying campaign for the Green Falcons.

Saudi edged a poor Australian side on goal difference in qualifying to finish second behind Japan, despite three defeats away to Japan, Australia and the UAE.

Since then, they failed to get out of their group at January’s Gulf Cup in Kuwait where they sent a second string side, and have endured a mixed run in friendlies getting thrashed by Iraq, before beating Greece and holding Italy close.

Despite being the second most successful side in Asian Cup history behind Japan with three wins and three runners-up finishes, Saudi failed to get out the group in the 2015 Asian Cup and last made a final in 2007.

All of their four previous World Cup appearances came consecutively from 1994 to 2006, but they have yet to beat their debut best of a Last 16 finish, failing to get out of the group in three attempts thereafter.

It is a positive that they are now back after failing to qualify for 2010 and 2014, but getting out of the group is still a big ask for a side that seems to limit itself with the timing of their decisions.