Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2026 preparations hit a setback on Tuesday evening when the Green Falcons fell 2-1 to Serbia in an international friendly at TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, despite taking a deserved lead early in the match through Abdullah Al-Hamdan. The encounter provided valuable experience against European opposition ahead of the Kingdom’s World Cup group stage campaign, which begins in June.
Al-Hamdan Opens the Scoring in the Eighth Minute
The Green Falcons made an assertive start, and their pressure paid off in the eighth minute when Abdullah Al-Hamdan capitalised on a defensive error by Aleksa Terzić to find the net and give Saudi Arabia an early advantage. The goal silenced the home crowd and set the tone for a composed first-half display in which the Green Falcons limited Serbia to limited clear-cut chances while posing a consistent threat on the break.
Saudi Arabia’s defensive organisation through the first 45 minutes was encouraging, with the backline holding its shape effectively and restricting a Serbia side that featured several players from European top-flight clubs. The half-time interval arrived with Saudi Arabia’s lead intact and confidence high in the technical staff’s preparations.
Serbia’s Second-Half Turnaround
The character of the match changed markedly after the break as Serbia pushed for an equaliser with increasing urgency. Strahinja Pavlović restored parity in the 66th minute with a moment of individual brilliance — a stunning bicycle kick that gave the Saudi goalkeeper no chance and drew the home crowd back into the contest. The momentum shifted decisively, and just four minutes later, Aleksandar Mitrović — the Serbian striker who plies his club trade at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League — completed the turnaround with a strong header to put Serbia 2-1 ahead.
Saudi Arabia were unable to respond as the second half wore on. The Green Falcons failed to test replacement keeper Djordje Petrović and were unable to manufacture the equaliser, with Serbia defending their advantage composedly through to the final whistle.
Context: Saudi Arabia’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
The result is part of a calculated World Cup preparation schedule rather than a competitive fixture, and the technical staff will draw lessons from the second-half defensive vulnerability rather than dwell on the scoreline. Saudi Arabia have already secured their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Uruguay. The Green Falcons open their campaign on June 16 against Uruguay at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Friendlies against UEFA nations serve a specific purpose in the coaching staff’s broader preparation plan, and the experience gained from facing a physical, technically proficient Serbia side will inform tactical decisions as the tournament approaches.
