Saudi Arabia national team secured their place in the 2026 World Cup with an intense goalless draw against Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday, marking their third consecutive World Cup qualification.
Coach Herve Renard’s squad needed just one point to advance, and a crucial injury-time save by goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi ensured their success.
Saudi Arabia finished Group B of the Asian qualifiers with four points, edging Iraq on goal difference after defeating Indonesia 3-2.
However, the match featured a tense first half, with over 60,000 fans in attendance, with Saleh Abu Al-Shamat posing the biggest threat, shooting over the bar in the 13th minute.
After the break, Al-Shamat created a chance for Feras Al-Buraikan, whose shot across the goal was missed by Saud Abdulhamid. Al-Shamat continued to challenge the Iraqi defense, but goalkeeper Jalal Hassan made a crucial save six minutes into the second half.
Increased Pressure on Iraq
As the match progressed, opportunities increased for Saudi Arabia, as captain Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari both faced frustration as Hassan denied their attempts. A last-ditch tackle by Hassan Tambakti thwarted Iraqi forward Mohanad Ali’s rare attack with 15 minutes remaining.
In a dramatic finish, Hassan Abdulkareem nearly scored for Iraq with a curling free kick deep into injury time. However, Al-Aqidi dove to his right, pushing the ball to safety and securing the draw for Saudi Arabia.
This qualification marks Saudi Arabia’s seventh World Cup appearance since their debut in 1994, with the team’s resilience and strategic play under pressure highlighting their growth in international football. As they prepare for the World Cup, fans eagerly anticipate their performance on the global stage.
