Saudi Arabia’s football landscape is facing a crucial moment as the national team gears up for important matches against the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Real Madrid in the upcoming Gold Cup and Club World Cup. The heavy investments made by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in soccer have come under scrutiny as the national team seeks to justify these expenditures amid a string of challenging outcomes.

Matches Overview

The matches are expected to serve as benchmarks for assessing the growth of Saudi football, which has become a key component of the nation’s soft power ambitions.

• Saudi Arabia vs. USMNT
  Date: Thursday, June 19 | Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
  Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
  TV: FS1 | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
  Odds: Saudi Arabia +500; Draw +280; USMNT -185

• Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal
  Date: Wednesday, June 18 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
  Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
  TV: TNT | Live stream: DAZN (Try for free)
  Odds: Real Madrid -360; Draw +450; Al-Hilal +800

Challenges Ahead

Despite significant spending, acquiring high-profile stars like N’Golo Kante has proven difficult, leading to a reliance on current players like Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marcos Leonardo to perform against top European teams. Following Neymar’s exit, Al-Hilal is left without the star power typically needed to compete.

The significance of these matches is emphasized by statements from Saudi officials, who acknowledge the need to present a strong image of Saudi football on the international stage. The results from these encounters could have long-lasting implications for the future trajectory of the sport in the Kingdom.