Saudi Arabia began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Miami Stadium, earning a point that leaves Group H finely balanced after Spain were also held by Cape Verde.
Abdulelah al-Amri gave the Green Falcons the lead late in the first half and it looked as though Georgios Donis’ side would hold on for a famous win. But Uruguay eventually responded through Maxi Araujo 10 minutes from time to deny Saudi Arabia and ensure that all four teams in Group H are on one point after the first game.
Here, Al Arabiya English highlights three key takeaways from the Green Falcons’ 1-1 World Cup draw with Uruguay.
Al-Amri an unlikely goalscorer
Arriving at the World Cup fresh from helping Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title, defender al-Amri produced the standout moment of his international career in Miami. The goal against Uruguay was only his second for Saudi Arabia, with his previous strike coming more than five years ago – in a friendly against Kuwait in 2021.
