Saudi Arabia — North Macedonia : Match Preview and Prediction for September 04,2025

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Aspirations

Hervé Renard’s squad (who returned to familiar grounds after Mancini’s departure a year ago) unfortunately failed to secure a direct spot in the World Cup during the summer, losing a crucial home fixture to Australia (1-2). However, Al-Dawsari and his teammates still possess strong prospects for reaching the World Cup for the third consecutive time via the fourth-stage playoffs.

Preparation for October Qualifiers

Their opponents in the next phase will be Indonesia and Iraq, and finishing first in this group is certainly within the capabilities of the ‘Green Falcons’. Following their appearance in the Gold Cup (where they reached the playoffs with a non-optimal lineup and lost 0-2 to Mexico in the quarter-finals), the Saudi team is now in Europe, meticulously preparing for the crucial qualifying stage set to commence in October.

Upcoming Friendly and Team Strength

Before those vital encounters, the ‘Falcons’ will face North Macedonia in Prague at the Viktoria Žižkov Stadium, using this match as a key preparatory exercise. Following their friendly with the Macedonians, they will then meet the hosts. All of Renard’s strongest players are currently available and in good form.

North Macedonia’s Strong Start to Qualifiers

North Macedonia commenced their World Cup qualification campaign impressively this spring. Blagoja Milevski’s side secured a dominant 3-0 away victory against Liechtenstein, though they frustratingly conceded a late equalizer at home against Wales, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Subsequently, Elmas and his teammates held Belgium to a 1-1 draw at home, showcasing resilient play to come from behind and demonstrate high-quality football. They also secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Kazakhstan in Astana, displaying a balanced and strategically sound performance.

Group Leadership and Defensive Stability

Excluding their match against the group’s underdog, North Macedonia’s other encounters have been low-scoring affairs. Overall, their reliable and balanced style of play has propelled them to the top of their group, leading Wales by one point after four rounds and the completion of the first leg of matches.

Tactical Test and Team Availability

The second leg of matches will begin in a couple of days at home against Liechtenstein, where the result is less of a concern. The clash with Saudi Arabia, however, serves as a crucial test of the reliability of Milevski’s squad’s defensive and measured playing style. Significantly, there are no key player absences reported for the team ahead of this match.