Qatar Hosts Pre-World Cup Gathering as Saudi Arabia Receives Invite: A Warm-Up Before 2026
29 December 2025
Overview
The Qatar Football Association is planning a clustered tournament in the near future, bringing together several teams that will compete at the 2026 World Cup.
Details and context
According to the 'Al-Marma' program, the organizers envision a pre-World Cup event featuring some qualified sides, hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sources say an official invitation will be extended to the Saudi Football Federation to have the Green participate, as part of their World Cup preparations.
The Green are placed in Group 8 at the World Cup, alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia's FIFA ranking remains at 60 in the latest monthly update, following their participation in the Arab Cup and a third-place finish.
In Asia, Saudi Arabia sits seventh, behind Japan (18), Iran (20), Korea Republic (22), Australia (26), Qatar (54), and Iraq (58).
Regionally, Saudi Arabia also ranks seventh among Arab nations, behind Morocco (11), Algeria (34), Egypt (35), Tunisia (41), Qatar (54), and Iraq (58).
Punchline 1: If this plan pans out, expect more sharp passes than sharp wit on the pitch. Sniper-level targets? The back of the net, please.
Punchline 2: And if the plan fumbles, at least the snack breaks in the stands will be world-class.
