Why are Saudi Arabia called KSA on TV when playing football? | The Sun

October 26, 2023

EAGLE-EYED football fans may have spotted Saudi Arabia being referred to as KSA on TV.

But why is this abbreviation used, how many World Cups have Saudi Arabia played in and who is currently in the squad? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why are Saudi Arabia called KSA on TV?

KSA stands for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the country’s official name, which when abbreviated fits inside the small space allocated to the game’s scoreboard on TV broadcasts.

The country was founded as a kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

According to reports, both FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) use the KSA abbreviation.

However, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) uses SA.

How many times have Saudi Arabia played at the World Cup?

In 2022, Saudi Arabia sealed their spot in Qatar and made their sixth appearance at the World Cup.

The national team made their first World Cup debut in 1994 – when they reached the last 16 in the USA.

They became the second Arab team in history to reach the round of 16 of a World Cup after Morocco at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Saudi Arabia then returned to the competition in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022.

What other competitions have Saudi Arabia competed in?

Aside from competing in the World Cup, Saudi Arabia have also competed in a number of other competitions.

They have won the AFC Asian Cup three times in 1984, 1988, and 1996 and have reached a joint record six Asian Cup finals.

Saudi Arabia are the first Asian team to reach the final of a senior FIFA competition at the 1992 King Fahd Cup – which would eventually become the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The national team also regularly participates in the Gulf Cup of Nations and Arab Nations Cup.

Who is in the current Saudi Arabia squad?

In August 2023, Roberto Mancini was named as the new manager of Saudi Arabia – two weeks after he resigned as Italy's head coach, following five years at the helm.

Mancini's contract is claimed to be worth a staggering £21.5million per year after tax.

Saudi Arabia were managed by Herve Renard at last year's World Cup, but the Frenchman stepped down in order to join his own country's women's national team.

Here we take a look at who is in the current Saudi Arabia squad.

GK – Mohammed Al-Owais
GK – Mohammed Al-Rubaie
GK – Raghed Al-Najjar
GK – Hamed Al-Shanqiti
DF – Yasser Al-Shahrani
DF – Ali Al-Bulaihi
DF – Saud Abdulhamid
DF – Sultan Al-Ghannam
DF – Abdulelah Al-Amri
DF – Hassan Al-Tambakti
DF – Ali Lajami
DF – Zakaria Hawsawi
MF – Salem Al-Dawsari
MF – Fahad Al-Muwallad
MF – Salman Al-Faraj
MF – Mohamed Kanno
MF – Abdulellah Al-Malki
MF – Sami Al-Najei
MF – Abdulrahaman Ghareeb
MF – Abdullah Al-Khaibari
MF – Nasser Al-Dawsari
MF – Ayman Yahya
MF – Ali Hazazi
MF – Faisal Al-Ghamdi
MF – Eid Al-Muwallad

Why are Saudi Arabia called KSA on TV when playing football? | The Sun

Why are Saudi Arabia called KSA on TV?

Read More on Saudi Arabia

Di Canio snubs 'oil money' & rejects chance to join ex-Prem boss in major role

Son Heung-min stunned as he is denied most blatant penalty ever against Saudis

How many times have Saudi Arabia played at the World Cup?

Most read in Football

Man Utd plan astonishing bid to bring De Gea back on free transfer

Everton facing 12-point deduction if found guilty of breaching FFP rules

Stunning OnlyFans & TikTok star claims Man Utd players are sliding into her DMs

Laura Woods tells Scholes ‘stop it… what are you doing?’ live on TNT after gaffe

What other competitions have Saudi Arabia competed in?

Who is in the current Saudi Arabia squad?

Read More on The Sun

One-off payment worth £185 set for thousands – check if you're getting one

Soap legend in talks to join I'm A Celebrity after 28 years on show