Goalless Battle, Painful Qualification

In a tense matchup, Saudi Arabia booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a scoreless draw against Iraq. While the scoreboard showed no offensive fireworks, the result was enough for the Saudis to move on thanks to goal difference, edging out their direct rivals in the decisive stretch of the Asian qualifiers.

This qualification makes them the tenth team confirmed by the Asian Football Confederation for the tournament, joining the growing list of nations preparing for their journey to North America.

A Historic Journey of Ups and Downs

Saudi Arabia will be making their seventh World Cup appearance, having debuted in 1994 and played consecutively until 2006. They missed out in 2010 and 2014 but returned strongly in 2018 and 2022, establishing themselves as a consistent Asian powerhouse.

Their best performance came in the 1994 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 — equivalent to 12th place in that format. Since then, results have fluctuated, but the team has remained a fixture in global football conversations.

The Real Challenge Begins Now

The mission for 2026 is clear: survive the group stage and dream bigger in a competition where they won’t start as favorites. With a squad blending experience and youth, Saudi Arabia hopes to surprise and reaffirm its place on the world stage.

The expanded 48-team format opens new doors, and the Green Falcons know that beyond earning their ticket, what comes next will matter even more.