JEDDAH — The Saudi Arabian national football team has officially secured its spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a goalless draw against Iraq at the Alinama Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday. That crucial point from the draw guaranteed the Green Falcons a place in next year’s global football event.
With this result, Saudi Arabia topped Group B in the Asian Qualifiers, earning automatic qualification for the World Cup. The team only needed to secure one point from this match to book their ticket to the tournament, and they did it right in front of their home fans.
This will be Saudi Arabia’s third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup and the seventh overall in the nation’s football history. This achievement once again showcases the steady progress and consistency of Saudi football in recent years.
The match itself was tense and tactical, with both teams creating opportunities but unable to find the back of the net. Saudi Arabia’s defense held strong, preventing Iraq from breaking through. The draw was enough for the hosts to celebrate their qualification, while Iraq will now shift its focus to upcoming fixtures in hopes of advancing through the playoff rounds.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first edition with an expanded format featuring 48 teams. Fans in Saudi Arabia are already buzzing with excitement as their team gears up to compete once again on football’s grandest stage. Saudi Arabia’s qualification highlights the growing strength of Middle Eastern football, with investments in domestic leagues and increased international exposure contributing to their ongoing success.
