Desert Lions on the Brink: Saudi Arabia Take on Iraq for a World Cup 2026 Spot

A Storied Rivalry Heads to a Decisive Night

The Saudi national team enters a high-stakes AFC playoff clash against Iraq in Jeddah, chasing a World Cup 2026 berth. The road to qualification now hinges on a single match, with a draw or win enough to book a direct spot.

Saudi Arabia recently beat Indonesia 3-2, while Indonesia suffered a 0-1 defeat to Iraq, adding pressure and momentum to the protagonists as they prepare for the final hurdle.

Historic Encounters Shape the Stakes

In World Cup qualifiers, Saudi Arabia holds a strong record against Iraq: six prior meetings, five wins for the Green Falcons, one draw, and no losses. That history gives Saudi confidence as they chase another important milestone toward the World Cup finals.

The rivalry dates back more than four decades, with early clashes dating to the 1982 qualifiers, when Saudi Arabia claimed a 1-0 victory in Iraq thanks to Amin Dabo’s goal, laying down a marker for the years to come. The dream to reach the World Cup would later reappear in multiple campaigns, including 1994 in the United States, when a 1-1 draw in which Saeed Owairan equalized after Iraq led through Ahmed Radi kept Saudi hopes alive but ultimately not enough for qualification.

In 2002, during a campaign that ultimately delivered the joint Saudi victory path to Korea and Japan, Saudi edged ahead in Manama 1-0 via Obaid Al-Dosari, before a 2-1 win in Amman with Abdullah Al-Sheihan netting twice as Iraq replied through Abdullatif Al-Obaidi, and so the history books kept turning.

The 2018 qualifiers saw Nawaf Al-Abed score twice for Saudi from penalties as Iraq found its path checked, and in the return leg in Jeddah the Green Falcons sealed a 1-0 win with Yacine Al-Shehri striking. The memory of these encounters underlines why this match carries both pride and a practical route to the World Cup.

Renowned French coach Hervé Renard has highlighted the match’s significance, insisting the team approach is calm, focused, and determined to secure qualification. He praised veteran talismans like Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari, while stressing that the collective effort and crowd support will matter in the final moment of truth.

Ticket sales reported a sell-out for the showdown, underscoring the nation’s anticipation. The AFC’s structure means the group winner advances directly to the World Cup, while the runners-up face a two-legged playoff to determine the last spot, keeping both sides’ eyes on the prize.

Saudi Arabia, under Renard, have a straightforward objective: win or at least draw to seal direct qualification, leveraging their head-to-head advantage and the aim of sealing a seventh World Cup appearance. Iraq, meanwhile, must seize the opportunity on home soil and chase a direct route, leaving little room for error.

Two punchlines from the field: If the Saudis win, maybe I’ll finally understand offside calls without a referee’s whistle audition; if they draw, I’ll blame the coffee for my tactical analysis. And if all else fails, I’ll just pretend the net taught us a lesson in geometry: the ball is always, somehow, in the right place at the right time.