Ronaldo record, Al Hilal to fore: RSL stars shine in World Cup qualifiers

The Roshn Saudi League continued to make its mark on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers across the past few days, with Cristiano Ronaldo racking up yet more records and a number of African stars ending the double-header on a high.

Fresh from his two goals against Armenia – a match in which RSL players netted all five goals – the Al Nassr and Portugal captain struck again on Tuesday, in the 3-2 qualifying victory in Hungary.

Converting a 58th-minute penalty, Ronaldo notched his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying, drawing level with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz for the most goals in history when it comes to the road to the global finals.

It means the five-time Ballon d'Or is now on 943 career goals as he hunts down the 1,000 milestone.

Ronaldo’s goal came either side of an assist and a goal for Al Hilal full-back Joao Cancelo, the latter proving the winner. Like Ronaldo, Cancelo found the net also against Armenia.

Al Hilal teammate Ruben Neves played the entirety of the clash in Hungary, with Al Nassr summer signing Joao Felix, who hit a hat-trick on RSL debut in Matchweek 1 of the 2025-26 season, introduced as a second-half substitute.

There was joy, too, for more Al Hilal representatives. In African qualifying, Yassine Bono kept yet another clean sheet as Morocco celebrated last week sealing their spot at next summer’s World Cup with a 2-0 win away to Zambia, who had Al Fayha forward Fashion Sakala on the pitch.

Elsewhere, Kalidou Koulibaly was his usual powerful presence at the back in Senegal’s 3-2 victory away to DR Congo. Al Ahli’s Edouard Mendy and Al Nassr’s Sadio Mane also played their part in the success.

With two rounds remaining, Senegal usurped DR Congo at the top of Group B (only winners of each pool are guaranteed a place at the tournament in North America next year).

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Likewise, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria remain top of Group C, F and G, respectively, after all three played out draws.

Al Ettifaq new boy Mohau Nkota and Al Kholood captain William Troost-Ekong faced off as South Africa drew 1-1 with third-placed Nigeria, while Al Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie was part of the Cote d’Ivoire side who played out a goalless draw away to Gabon.

For Algeria, Al Ahli superstar Riyad Mahrez and NEOM SC counterpart Said Benrahma couldn’t quite fire in the stalemate against Guinea, where Al Ittihad title-winner Houssem Aouar was a late, late substitute.

Elsewhere, Al Taawoun striker Musa Barrow was introduced in the second half of Gambia’s 2-0 home victory against Burundi.

Back in Europe, Al Hilal summer addition Theo Hernandez helped France maintain their 100 percent start to qualification with a 2-1 win at home to Iceland. Keeping with full-backs, Al Ittihad defender Mario Mitaj played the full match in Albania’s 1-0 triumph against Latvia.

Meanwhile, two seems to be the magic number for Al Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui. The Italy striker, who scored a brace on his RSL bow, followed up his two goals for his national team last week with a pair of assists as the Italian's came through a 5-4 thriller against Israel.

Over in CONCACAF, Al Fayha goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was between the sticks for Panama as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Guatemala, while Al Najmah summer signing Romell Quioto notched the opener in Honduras’ 2-0 home win against Nicaragua.

Midfielder Deybi Flores, another new recruit at the RSL debutants, also played for the hosts.

And wrapping everything up, in CONMEBOL, Al Hilal recent addition Darwin Nunez led the line for Uruguay in their 0-0 draw in Chile. Uruguay, who in the second half had Al Qadsiah's Nahitan Nanez in midfield, had last week confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup.