Saudi Arabia

By Emma McColl

???? | The Saudi national team just left its residence in Germany and went to Cologne Bonn International Airport heading to Saint Petersburg in Russia. #WorldCup2018#GreenFalcons pic.twitter.com/ChSsmFMW1L

— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) June 9, 2018

The Saudi national team

Team: Saudi Arabia

Nickname: Al Sogour Al Akhdar / The Green Falcons

World Cup appearances: 5 (Best result is round-of-16 in 1994)

World Ranking: 67 (the second worst ranked team)

Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi

Captain: Osama Hawsawi

????| The Saudi national team coach Juan Antonio Pizzi speaks to FIFA Official Channel, during the arrival of the Saudi national team in Saint Petersburg pic.twitter.com/zrWcT2EaHa

— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) June 9, 2018

Player to watch:
The player to watch is prolific striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, who has twice been named the player of the season in the Saudi league.

NowUC predictor:
Saudi Arabia has been racked with instability in the lead-up to the tournament, having sacked two coaches since the country qualified for Russia 2018 late last year. Spaniard Juan Antonio Pizzi is in the hot seat but it remains to be seen how well he knows his players and has been able to get them to gel on the field. Saudi Arabia will be eliminated at the group stage alongside Russia.