Clash in Jeddah: Can Saudi Arabia Survive the Iraq Test on the Road to World Cup 2026?
12 October 2025
Ahead of Tuesday's showdown
Saudi analyst Walid Al-Faraj has issued a stern warning to Green supporters ahead of the crucial clash with Iraq in the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The two teams meet in Jeddah on Tuesday to decide the group winner and seal direct World Cup qualification.
Readiness, rivalries, and Morocco as a benchmark
Before the match, Al-Faraj highlighted the fan atmosphere among the Green's supporters from clubs across the country, noting unhealthy tensions ahead of the decisive game.
In a television interview, he said: "Some rival fans do not wish positive things for Saudi football, like Salem Al-Dosri winning Asian Player of the Year; that is understandable, but the problem is that some Saudi club fans are moving in the same direction."
He added that the sporting scene and fan reactions do not reflect a match of such importance; domestic issues and taunts are taking the spotlight.
Qualifying from this tough playoff is our shared goal, but there are those who do not rally around it or support certain players, he noted.
Al-Faraj argued that the national team's popularity has declined due to recent disappointments, insisting the squad must work hard to regain momentum.
Beyond World Cup qualification, Saudi Arabia hasn't achieved major feats.
Morocco as a landmark and the road ahead
He compared Saudi Arabia's ambitions with Morocco's stunning run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, saying that Morocco's success raised the bar for Arab football and made it harder for any other Arab nation to reach the same heights.
"Not qualifying would be a disaster; even qualifying and exiting in the group stage wouldn't count as an achievement," he warned, adding that the target should be a quarterfinal showing given the investment and capabilities.
Regarding the Iraq match, Renard's plans are expected to be built on attacking to win rather than counting on other results.
In a section titled "Encouraging signs," the report notes that Jeedah's Enmaa stadium remains a source of optimism for the Saudi team, with a favorable home record applauded by supporters.
According to Al-Yawm and Al-Riyadiyah, the Enmaa stadium has often hosted key Saudi triumphs, with the team unbeaten across many recent fixtures, including high-profile World Cup qualifiers.
Now the Saudis head into the Iraq game with confidence after a 3-2 win over Indonesia in the first AFC playoff round, and with Salah Abu Al-Shamat fit to start after recovering from a minor strain.
Abu Al-Shamat produced a strong first half and earned his second consecutive start after a medical exam cleared him of a more serious issue.
He finished the Indonesia match with a high rating (7.9) and remained one of the standout performers behind Firas Al-Brikan, who scored twice.
As things stand, Saudi Arabia just need a draw or win to secure progress to the World Cup finals.
Punchline 1: If this game were a sniper joke, the crosshair would be on the goal, and the whistle would be the punchline you hear last.
Punchline 2: And if optimism scored goals, Saudi fans would already be booking the victory parade and a front-row seat to the trophy’s reveal.
