The Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have reached a decisive stage. In the second-round match held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia drew 0–0 with Iraq and clinched qualification for the World Cup with that result.
The game was tense and competitive. Both teams fought hard for a World Cup berth, displaying solid defense and cautious tactics. The Saudis had several scoring chances, but Iraq’s goalkeeper Jalal Hassan produced multiple crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
The match ended goalless, but the draw was enough for Saudi Arabia to finish top of their group and become the eighth Asian nation to qualify for the tournament. This achievement reflects the team’s stability and the consistent work of the coaching staff in recent years.
Iraq, finishing second in the group, will now face the UAE in the playoff round. The winner of that match will advance to the intercontinental playoff for a final chance to reach the World Cup.
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – Asia, Round 3
October 14, Jeddah
Saudi Arabia – Iraq 0–0
Saudi Arabia: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Jehad Tikriti, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Nasser Al-Dossari, Musab Aljuwayir, Feras Albrikan, Salem Al-Dawsari, Saud Abdulhamid, Abdullah Al-Haibari, Ayman Yahya, Salah Abu Alshamat.
Iraq: Rebin Gharib Adhamat, Hussein Haidar Ali, Munaf Yunus Al-Tikriti, Yusuf Wali Amin, Ibrahim Bayash Al-Qaabawi, Muhanad Ali Kazim, Jalal Hassan, Zidane Aamar Iqbal, Amir Fuad, Kevin Enkido William, Merhas Ghazi Salih.
Thus, Saudi Arabia officially became the eighth Asian team to qualify for the World Cup. Attention now turns to the playoff stage, where Iraq and the UAE will compete for one last ticket to the tournament.
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