RSL most represented league at FIFA World Cup outside 'Big 5' | OneFootball

The Roshn Saudi League (RSL) will have 47 players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it the most represented league outside Europe's traditional “Big Five” and underlining the competition's growing influence on the global game.

Following the announcement of all 48 national team squads for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the RSL ranks sixth worldwide for player representation.

According to the official FIFA squad lists, only the English Premier League (176 players), Germany's Bundesliga (101), Spain's La Liga (81), France's Ligue 1 (79), and Italy's Serie A (66) have more players competing at the global finals.

The milestone reflects the Saudi Pro League's continued rise as one of world football's leading competitions, with players from across the globe set to represent their countries on the sport's biggest stage.

Saudi Arabia's squad is almost entirely drawn from the RSL, with 24 of the Green Falcons' 26 players currently competing in the Kingdom's top flight.

The only exception is trailblazer Saud Abdulhamid, who arrives at the World Cup following a record-breaking campaign with RC Lens in France, and former Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, now of second-tier Al Ula.

Saud Abdulhamid for Saudi Arabia v Argentina at 2022 FIFA World Cup

Beyond Saudi Arabia’s representatives, 23 international stars from the RSL are expected to feature at the tournament. Among the headline names is Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to make a record sixth FIFA World Cup appearance.

The Portuguese superstar arrives in North America having captained Al Nassr to their first RSL title in seven years and will lead one of the tournament favourites alongside club teammate Joao Felix, recently named the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League Player of the Season.

Portugal's squad also includes Al Hilal duo Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, further highlighting the depth of talent competing in Saudi Arabia’s top division.

Brazil, record five-time world champions, have selected two RSL standouts in Al Ittihad midfielder Fabinho and Al Ahli defender Roger Ibanez.

Fabinho, a 2024-25 RSL winner, helped Al Ittihad secure qualification for next season's AFC Champions League Elite, while Ibanez played a key role in Al Ahli's successful defence of Asian football's premier club competition.

The Jeddah club became the first team in more than two decades to land back-to-back Asian Champions League titles.

Africa will also be strongly represented by RSL stars, with Senegal's squad featuring Al Nassr title winner Sadio Mane, Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Riyad Mahrez (L) and Houssem Aouar, rivals at Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, join forces for Algeria

Meanwhile, Morocco will once again look to Al Hilal’s Yassine Bono, the reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, following his nation's historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar.

Elsewhere, Al Ahli forward Riyad Mahrez and Al Ittihad midfielder Houssem Aouar have been selected for Algeria - Mahrez will captain Les Fennecs - while Al Ahli teammate Franck Kessié is expected to lead Cote d'Ivoire.

Club colleague Ivan Toney has been called up by England manager Thomas Tuchel following an outstanding season in Saudi Arabia.

Toney scored 32 goals in 32 league appearances during the 2025-26 RSL campaign to fire Al Ahli to a third-placed finish, while he also helped to club to that second successive AFC Champions League Elite crown.

Toney, however, was pipped to the 2025-26 RSL Golden Boot by Al Qadsiah's Julian Quinones, who will represent host nation Mexico.

With 33 goals in 31 RSL appearances last season, Quinones will hope to participate when his national team open the World Cup at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11 against South Africa.

Al Ettifaq's Jack Hendry will likely marshal Scotland's defence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Other notable RSL names heading to the World Cup include Al Hilal pair Theo Hernandez (France) and Darwin Nunez (Uruguay), Al Ahli defender Merih Demiral (Turkiye), Al Ettifaq's Jack Hendry (Scotland), and emerging Al Qadsiah talent Christopher Bonsu Baah (Ghana).

At club level, Al Hilal top the RSL sides, with 13 players selected for the tournament. Al Nassr and Al Ahli follow with nine representatives each, demonstrating the strength and international quality present across the league.