“We need to do all that we can to first reach the knockout stage of the World Cup. It is not something that is impossible for us. At this tournament we want to reach the final and we will do everything possible to achieve this. I think that our efforts will be rewarded. We will make Saudi Arabia proud of us,” Hawsawi told reporters.

Saudi Arabia, drawn in Group A, will face Russia in the opening game of the tournament on Thursday. They will play Uruguay and Egypt in their other two Group A matches.