Post by : Rameen Ariff

Saudi Arabia confirmed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday. The result was enough for Herve Renard’s team to finish top of Group B in the Asian qualifiers, thanks to a superior goal-scoring record over Iraq. The match was tense and competitive, with the Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi producing a crucial injury-time save to deny Hassan Abdulkareem’s curling free kick, ensuring the hosts sealed their progress.

The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with more than 60,000 fans cheering throughout the game. Renard praised the supporters after the match, saying, “I was expecting a lot of people but the atmosphere was fantastic. The fans pushed the players. Even though Salem Al-Dawsari got the man of the match award, I think this evening it was the fans who made the difference.” He added, “It has not been easy a few months ago, but we did it and this is the most important.”

Saudi Arabia had only needed a point to guarantee qualification, having already secured a 3-2 victory over Indonesia earlier in the group stage. Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq ended the group stage with four points, but the Saudis topped the group on goals scored. This will be Saudi Arabia’s seventh appearance at the World Cup since their debut in 1994.

The match itself was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances in the opening half. Iraq’s Saleh Abu Al-Shamat posed the first real threat, shooting over the bar in the 13th minute. The forward continued to trouble the Saudi defense after the break, providing a precise pass to Feras Al-Brikan, whose cross was narrowly missed by Saud Abdulhamid.

Iraq continued to test the Saudi goal, but goalkeeper Al-Aqidi was up to the task, saving a goal-bound shot by Jalal Hassan early in the second half and later denying Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari from scoring. Saudi Arabia also had opportunities to break the deadlock but could not convert, keeping the match goalless.

Late in the game, Iraq pressed for a winner, with Mohanad Ali and Hassan Abdulkareem going closest. However, Al-Aqidi made a decisive diving save from Abdulkareem’s 25-yard curling free kick in injury time, preserving the draw and confirming Saudi Arabia’s place at the 2026 World Cup.

With Iraq finishing second, they will face the United Arab Emirates in a two-legged playoff next month to determine who progresses to the intercontinental playoffs in March. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, can now focus on preparations for the World Cup, confident of their spot on football’s biggest stage.

This qualification highlights Saudi Arabia’s consistent progress in Asian football under Renard, combining disciplined defending with attacking talent like Al-Dawsari and Al-Brikan. The team’s supporters celebrated across the country as the draw secured a momentous achievement for the Green Falcons.

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