Saudi Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais Makes Nine Saves Against Uruguay in World Cup

Saudi Arabia's 34-year-old experienced goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais played a key role in his team's 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their 2026 World Cup opener, making nine crucial saves.

Scraper SystemJune 21, 2026, 10:49 AM

Saudi Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais Makes Nine Saves Against Uruguay in World Cup

The man guarding the goal for the Saudi Arabian national football team at the 2026 World Cup was 34-year-old Mohammed Al-Owais, who had previously expressed his intention to retire from international duty.

Al-Owais was recalled to the national team in March 2025 following a search by the technical staff after a friendly match against Egypt where he conceded four goals. He wore the 'Green Falcons' jersey again after 452 days in a preparatory match against Serbia, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.

In his first World Cup match against Uruguay, Al-Owais saved nine shots from the opponent, securing a 1-1 draw for his team. While Uruguay's Federico Valverde won the Man of the Match award, the Saudi goalkeeper drew attention with his performance.

The Return to the National Team

Al-Owais was first called up to the national team in 2015 and was selected as the best goalkeeper in the Saudi Professional League in the 2018 season. The experienced goalkeeper, who has worn the national jersey 62 times in his career, was also named Man of the Match in the historic 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

However, after conceding goals in all three matches and failing to keep a clean sheet at the 2025 Gulf Cup, he informed the national team management of his intention to retire. Although he did not officially announce this decision, he was not called up for 21 consecutive matches.

Change in Club Career

Having fallen to the position of backup goalkeeper behind Moroccan Yassine Bounou at Al-Hilal, Al-Owais transferred to the Second Division team Al-Ula. There, he secured regular playing time, keeping a clean sheet in 11 out of 33 matches and conceding only 29 goals.

French manager Hervé Renard invited him back to the national team due to his improved physical preparation and increased regular playing time at his club. After Renard's dismissal, Greek manager Georgios Donis also continued to keep Al-Owais in the squad.

Despite other goalkeeper candidates being tested in preparatory matches, Al-Owais was chosen as the first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup. His performance against Uruguay proved this choice to be justified.

Saudi Arabia will play its second World Cup match against Spain. Spain drew 1-1 with Cape Verde in their opening match. Saudi Arabia aims to advance past the group stage for the second time since 1994.

Saudi Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais Makes Nine Saves Against Uruguay in World Cup

Saudi Arabia's 34-year-old experienced goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais played a key role in his team's 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their 2026 World Cup opener, making nine crucial saves.