Drawn together in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will go head-to-head once again in what will be a friendly encounter between two familiar foes at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium on Thursday.
Both sides progressed to the next phase as the top two in Group H, though the Chivalrous Ones edged the Arabian Falcons into first place by virtue of superior goal difference.
Match preview
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After trading away wins in their respective qualifying fixtures, Saudi Arabia will now aim to restore order on Thursday evening, particularly as they look to preserve their unbeaten streak in 2025.
The Green Falcons had struck first in the group, claiming a 2-0 victory at Amman International Stadium in November 2023, only to be brought down a peg in Riyadh when Jordan earned a 2-1 triumph in the reverse.
While Saudi advanced to the next phase, their journey since then has been far from smooth, with Herve Renard's men currently sitting third in Group C, having amassed 10 points from two wins, four draws and two defeats.
That return leaves them three points shy of a guaranteed qualification place with two matches left to navigate, but recent performances have shown signs of recovery.
Following a 1-0 win over China, the Arabian Falcons earned a valuable goalless draw in Japan – a result that may prove crucial in the final reckoning.
As preparations continue for a trip to Bahrain next Thursday and a final group clash against Australia five days later, a positive result in this friendly could offer the perfect springboard.
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However, it is Jordan who appear to have taken their momentum a notch higher since advancing, with Jamal Sellami's men now firmly on course to make history by reaching their first-ever World Cup.
Occupying second place in Group B, the Chivalrous Ones are currently in an automatic qualification spot with 13 points, one clear of Iraq and three ahead of Oman, who sit in fourth.
In their most recent outing, Jordan held South Korea to a 1-1 draw in Seoul back in March, with the result moving Sellami's side up to 62nd in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
That stalemate followed a 3-1 win over Palestine; although the Chivalrous Ones are four games unbeaten, that victory remains their only victory in their last eight outings across all competitions, a run that also includes six draws and a single loss.
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Team News
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Saudi head coach Renard will be without Ali Majrashi, as the experienced right-back continues his recovery from an adductor problem that has sidelined him in recent weeks.
The Green Falcons are also set to miss some national team players from Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah, with both clubs preparing for the King's Cup final scheduled for Friday.
Among those unavailable are Muhannad Shanqeeti, who featured in the last two matches for Saudi and Jehad Thakri, who made his international debut in the previous outing against Japan.
Jordan will also be without their all-time leading goal scorer Hamza Al-Dardour, whose tally of 33 goals remains untouched, with his last appearance for the national team dating back to January 2024.
Head coach Sellami is expected to retain his favoured three-man defensive shape, with Abdullah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab and Mo Abdulnadi forming the protective wall in front of goalkeeper Yazeed Abdulaila.
There could also be a repeat of the front three that started the last outing, with Mousa Al-Taamari, Mahmoud Al Mardi and Yazan Al-Nuaimat tipped to lead the line once more.
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Aqidi; Abdulhamid, Lajami, Tambakti, Boushal; Yahya, Al-Ghamdi, Al-Dawsari; Al-Dawsari, Al-Buraikan, Al-Sahafi
Jordan possible starting lineup:
Abdulaila; Nasib, Al-Arab, Abdulnadi; Haddad, Al Rashdan, Jamous, Taha; Al-Taamari, Al Mardi, Al-Nuaimat
We say: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Jordan
The two nations have proven difficult to break down in recent outings, with Saudi scoring just once in their last two matches while keeping clean sheets, and Jordan seeing seven of their past eight end in low-scoring affairs — four of which finished 1-1.
That trend, combined with both sides finding the net in their last meeting, points towards another closely fought contest likely to end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
