Here we take a look at Saudi Arabia's World Cup squad and the other things it will be handy to know about the Group A challengers.

Saudi Arabia's World Cup preliminary squad - the 23 names

23-man final squad

Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al Owais (Al Ahli), Yasser Al Mosailem (Al Ahli), Abdullah Al Mayouf (Al Hilal)

Defenders: Mansoor Al Harbi (Al Ahli), Yasser Al Shahrani (Al Hilal) Mohammed Al Breik (Al Hilal), Motaz Hawsawi (Al Ahli), Osama Hawsawi (Al Hilal), Omar Hawsawi (Al Nassr), Ali Al Bulaihi (Al Hilal)

Midfielders: Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al Shabab), Abdulmalek Al Khaibri (Al Hilal), Abdullah Otayf (Al Hilal), Taiseer Al Jassim (Al Ahli), Houssain Al Mogahwi (Al Ahli), Salman Al Faraj, Mohamed Kanno (both Al Hilal), Hattan Bahebri (Al Shabab), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Yahya Al Shehri (Al Nassr), Fahad Al Muwallad (Al Ittihad)

Forwards: Mohammad Al Sahlawi (Al Nassr), Muhannad Assiri (Al Ahli)

Who do they play and when?

Russia: Thursday, June 14 at 4pm
Uruguay: Wednesday, June 20 at 4pm
Egypt: Monday, June 25 at 3pm

What odds are Saudi Arabia to win the World Cup?

1000/1

Who's the coach?

Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Former Spain striker who played for Bobby Robson at Barcelona, Pizzi resigned as Chile manager and last November became the third Saudi manager in three months.

Who's the star?

They’re not the lowest ranked team here for nothing - but Mohammad Al-Sahlawi scored eight in qualification against East Timor.

Mohammad Al-Sahlawi trained with Manchester United earlier this year Credit: Getty Images

Best thing about them

Technically adept players with plenty of swazz, a lovely kit and in ‘the Green Falcons’, the best nickname.

Worst thing about them

Ponderous tempo and lack of physical stature make them as vulnerable as tethered goats for Uruguay’s ruthless predators.

You may recognise…

Yaya Al-Shehri is a nippy, Bercow-sized left winger who could nutmeg opponents with his body as well as the ball.

Cameramen will be picking out…

As is the intrusive way these days, ostentatiously pious goal celebrations - in the remote possibility they score, of course.

Fans' favourite chant

Oh oh, oh oh, oh ya Saudi!

Saudi Arabia lost to Italy in a pre-World Cup friendly in May Credit: Getty Images

On-field prediction

Haven’t won a match in three World Cups since 1994 and that won’t change here.

Off-field prediction

Paeans of praise for the Crown Prince and an epidemic of tinnitus from insufferable inflatable cheering sticks.