Play-off Prospects: The RSL Euro stars with World Cup in sights

There might be fewer than 80 days until kick-off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but still six spots remain up for grabs for the global showpiece - four of which will come from Europe.

While none of those will face Saudi Arabia in the group stage should they book a berth in North America, there are plenty of players from the Roshn Saudi League aiming to punch their ticket this week in the deciding UEFA play-offs.

Here, we look at each player and how their performances this season bode well for those World Cup hopes.

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Mateo Retegui - Al Qadsiah / Italy

One of the highest-profile players seeking that World Cup place, the recent Serie A golden boot winner has been impressive in his debut campaign for Al Qadsiah, as they’ve stormed into title contention with manager Brendan Rodgers.

While Retegui has played somewhat second fiddle at times to the hot form of golden boot-chasing Julian Quinones, with 15 goals already, the Italian has helped form the 2025-26 RSL’s most dangerous strike partnership: 39 of Al Qadsiah’s 62 goals have come from the pair.

Perhaps surprisingly, given he has created 20 chances this season, Retegui is yet to register an assist. However, otherwise he has been a formidable frontman and lived up to the billing.

Italy take on Northern Ireland on Thursday, with the winner then facing either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina five days later for that World Cup spot.

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Merih Demiral - Al Ahli / Turkiye

It’s little surprise that both Demiral and Al Ahli central defensive partner Roger Ibanez were called up for their respective national teams given their imperious form over many months for the Asian champions.

The duo form the RSL’s most miserly defensive partnership, conceding only 19 goals as Al Ahli have built a genuine title challenge. The league’s true warriors, they know only one way and that is giving it their all, taking a no-prisoners approach.

They also work perfectly in tandem. While Ibanez loves to get forward, Demiral will often stay back to provide rearguard support and provide cover should the ball be turned over.

Should the latter recover sufficiently from injury issues, Demiral will hope to line up for Turkiye on Thursday against Romania. The winners then meet either Slovakia or Kosovo in a shootout for North America.

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Marek Rodak - Al Ettifaq / Slovakia

There’s a very Saudi Arabian feel to the Slovakian squad, with Rodak one of three players drawn from the RSL after impressing in goal for Al Ettifaq.

With an equal fourth-best clean sheets (seven) and ranked No.1 in the 2025-26 RSL for saves with 96, Rodak has had an impressive season between the sticks - albeit the 44 goals conceded will irk the 29-year-old.

Two of his most impressive performances, though, have come against Al Ahli, in a 0-0 draw in September, and then January's 1-0 win against Al Ittihad, with four and five saves, respectively. Others, meanwhile, include fine displays against Al Taawoun and Al Shabab.

Rodak’s Slovakia must come through that play-off against Kosovo on Thursday to perhaps then take on Demiral and Turkiye.

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Ondrej Duda - Al Ettifaq / Slovakia

Sharing the plane from Dammam with Rodak is Al Ettifaq teammate Duda.

The veteran midfielder, with 90 caps for his country, has largely been a mainstay in midfield for the East Coast club, playing 20 of 26 RSL matches in his debut season.

Duda, though, has yet to register a goal or an assist in that time. Granted, that’s probably below expectations for a player of his ability, especially when he’s ranked equal-third at Al Ettifaq alongside captain Georginio Wijnaldum for chances created.

Perhaps that simply means the best is yet to come as Saad Al Shehri's impressive side target a top-five finish.

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Norbert Gyomber - Al Kholood / Slovakia

Rounding out the Slovakian trio is Al Kholood’s Gyomber, who was one player to remain with the club through the transition to new ownership in the off-season.

The 33-year-old has been a monster at the back for Des Buckingham’s side: Gyomber is ranked No.1 at the club for clearances in the RSL this season (105), and in the top three for both passes (941) and tackles (36).

While not in the Saudi top flight, one of Gyomber’s best displays came in Al Kholood’s historic King’s Cup semi-final success against Al Ittihad. In that game, he contributed an impressive 11 clearances, that places Gyomber and clubmates on the brink of an extraordinary piece of silverware.

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Mario Mitaj - Al Ittihad / Albania

Perhaps someone who flew under the radar in Al Ittihad’s title-winning season last term, the full-back has had a slightly different role at times this season.

Often, the Albania international is deployed as either a winger or wing-back as manager Sergio Conceicao tinkers to find the ideal structure for the reigning RSL champions.

Within that, however, Mitaj has still been able to show what he is capable of and, in sharing No.1 at Al Ittihad for tackles (41) - joint with Brazil call-up Fabinho - it underlines where his strength lies.

While he has created an impressive 14 chances this campaign, Mitaj is first and foremost a defender and, when deployed as such, he has impressed.

Now, though, his focus is firmly on helping Albania defeat Poland on Thursday to set up a winner-takes-all clash with either Ukraine or Sweden the following Tuesday.