Saudi Arabia to face Italy on May 28

CAIRO – 20 April 2018: Saudi Arabia’s national team prepares for the World Cup by playing a friendly match against Italy.

Saudi Arabia is set to play the World Cup’s opening game against the host, Russia, on June 14. They are placed in Group A alongside Egypt and Uruguay.

The Italian Football Federation announced the friendly encounter on Thursday, which will take place in Switzerland on May 28. It will be the first time for both teams to face each other.

Egypt plays their last game in the group stage against their Arab rivals, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, June 25 at 4 p.m. (Cairo Time).

Saudi Arabia participated in four consecutive World Cup tournaments between 1994 and 2006; they missed playing in the last two World Cups.

Saudi Arabia’s best achievement in the World Cup was in its first participation in 1994 in the United States when they qualified to the round of 16.

Juan Antonio Pizzi was appointed as Saudi Arabia’s manager in November 2017, succeeding the sacked Edgrado Bauza.