World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Indonesia-Saudi Arabia, the likely lineups

The fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as far as the AFC, the Asian confederation, is concerned, kicks off with matches scheduled for Wednesday. The previous rounds have already promoted Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Japan and Australia to the final stage, but six teams still remain to vie for two direct World Cup spots and two for an additional playoff.

While Group A features the UAE, Qatar and Oman, opening Group B, with Iraq resting, will be Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, who will compete in Jeddah. Indonesia is seeking a World Cup qualification never achieved so far, if you exclude the then Dutch East Indies’ participation in the 1938 World Cup in France, as the only Asian representative to qualify automatically. The white-and-white coach is a name familiar to Italian fans: he is Patrick Kluivert, former Ajax, Milan and Barcelona striker, since January selector of the Indonesian national team.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is now a regular presence in the World Cup, having participated in six of the last eight editions. In 2022, in Qatar, the national team coached by Hervé Renard (back as coach after a spell with Roberto Mancini on the bench) even managed to beat Argentina in the group stage, who would go on to become champions a few weeks later.

Probable lineups

INDONESIA (3-4-3): Argawinata; Ridho, Idzes, Hubner; Sayuri, Haye, Pelupessy, Verdonk; Vikri, Sananta, Kambuaya. C.t. Kluivert.

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SAUDIAN ARABIA (4-4-2): Al-Aqidi; Al-Amri, Boushal, Al-Tambakti, Al-Harbi; Al-Dawsari, Kanno, Al-Hassan, Ali; Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan. C.t. Renard.